¨ The
worthy walk involves all our good works.
We were created for good works (Eph. 2:10). But what makes a work good? A good work is
righteous in character, loving in motive and pleases God. But the goodness
of a work depends on what that work produces.
·
A good work bears
fruit (v10). Again, we were not only
created for good works; we were chosen to bring forth fruit (John 15:16). Fruit
may involve Spirit-filled character (Gal. 5:22-23), character that is fit for
repentance (Matt. 3:8), or it may involve what is produced in the lives of
others as people are drawn to Christ (John 4:36). If fruit is not borne, the work is not good,
the walk is not worthy, and Christ did not produce it.
·
A good work results in a deeper knowledge of God (v10).
Again (v6,9) this knowledge is full
knowledge. Some people know God on the surface, knowing
facts about Him. But true and full
knowledge involves the mind, heart and
life. Good works produced in the
context of the difficulties of life bring us to know God in truth as God leads,
helps and sustains us.
¨ The
worthy walk involves all our strength: it must be according to God’s power and
might.
A literal
translation says: in all power being
empowered by His glorious strength.
We please God, not when we serve Him in our own strength, but when He
empowers our power. Our fleshly power
always leaves us short of pleasing the One who can do exceedingly above what we
ask or think (Eph. 3:20-21). We are to
be strong in the Lord and in the power of
His might (Eph. 6:10). As the
disciples learned, they received power to witness when the Spirit came upon
them (Acts 1:8). Think about David
against Goliath and remember that when God enables us to do what only He can do
then He is truly glorified.
¨ The
worthy walk involves all our endurance: it must be with joyful thanksgiving.
It is possible for us to complete our service to God
(our good work) but with an attitude that robs God of the glory. Again, a literal translation of v11b-12a
says, In all patience and longsuffering,
with joy giving thanks to the Father.
It assumes we will have situations demanding patience. But if we endure with an attitude that says
“you owe me” or “you don’t deserve this” we no longer please God. Joyful
thanks reflects 2 realities:
·
That God has made us fit to partake in the
inheritance He has provided for all the saints. We qualify, not by our goodness
but by God’s mercy.
·
That God has delivered us from Satan’s kingdom
and transferred us into the kingdom
of His Son that He loves.
Here is a
wonderful prayer: that we might be filled with the fullness of God’s will so
that we might walk worthy. Pray this for yourself, for your family members, and
for all your brothers and sisters in Christ.
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