How to we live a life that is pleasing to the Lord? Paul explains that there are four elements to that lifestyle. In the letter to the Colossians Paul exhorts them to strengthen their faith. They were fighting false teachings that devalued Christ’s supremacy and the adequacy of salvation through Him. This false teaching promoted mystical experiences,
additional spiritual agents, and an adherence to attaining well-being. Against this prominent threat that the church in Colossus was facing, Paul argues for the all-sufficiency of Christ. He is head of the Church (1:18), and head over every power and authority (2:10). Being saved by Christ and living in Christ have a direct bearing upon how believers should behave, Paul stresses the lordship of Christ over all facets of life.
So how does one live a life that is pleasing to God? Paul tells the Colossians in verse ten and eleven just how to live that life.
“So that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience,” Colossians 1:10-11 (NIV)
Four elements of life that are worthy of and fully pleasing to the Lord
- We must bear fruit:
- To bear fruit a Christian must be connected to Christ.
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” (John 15:1-2 NIV)
- Bearing fruit also requires leading others to the Lord and sharing the gospel with the lost.
- Bearing the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.
(Galatians 5:22-23 NIV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things, there is no law.
- We must grow in the knowledge of God through Bible study and prayer.
Nothing replaces getting into the Word of God and knowing it for yourself. Paul says, “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” (Philippians 2:12-13 NIV)
- Strengthened for endurance and patience
The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is the same power that strengthens us so that we might have both endurance and patience in us to help us in difficult times.
- Joyfully giving thanks
Having a heart of gratitude toward God and the things of God helps to guard against false teaching and draw others to Christ.
These fundamental practices will fend off the harmful pressures of false teaching. The devil is circling around us trying every way he can to distort or water down our faith. He tries to get us off track by giving us half-truths and twisting the Word of God. We must have discernment when we listen to any teachers of the Word.
