The Worthy Walk

“…so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him…” – Colossians 1:10a

Reflection: What Does “Worthy” Mean?

Once we grasp the incredible privilege of our identity in Christ, the natural question is, “How should I live in response?” Paul’s answer is that we should “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord.” This isn’t about earning our salvation; that price has already been paid in full by Jesus. Rather, a “worthy” life is a grateful response that honors the immense cost of our redemption. It’s about living in a way that pleases our Father.

We often get stuck trying to discern God’s specific will for our lives—which job to take, who to marry, where to live. But God’s primary will is less about the specifics of your situation and more about the character you embody. His will is for you to live in a way that is worthy of your adoption into His family. Paul outlines three practical ways to do this.

These are not a checklist, but a cycle fueled by a single engine: gratitude.

1. Go Deep in Faith This is a two-part commitment. First, we are called to be “bearing fruit in every good work.” In any healthy family, everyone contributes; the family can’t thrive if some members only consume. We bear fruit when we move from being spiritual consumers to active contributors, serving others and advancing the family mission. Second, this service must be paired with “increasing in the knowledge of God.” We cannot fulfill God’s will if we don’t know what His Word says. Going deep means committing to both serving others and studying His truth.
2. Stretch in Faith A worthy walk requires “being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might.” God’s will for our lives is always bigger than what we can achieve in our own strength. Friend, if you settle for a life that can be accomplished by your own talent and effort, you have settled for something less than God’s will for you. This means stepping into challenges that force us to depend on God. It’s easy to invite neighbors you already like over for dinner, but what about pursuing a relationship with the overwhelmed single mom or the recently divorced man down the street? Building those friendships requires a supernatural patience and love that stretches us and forces us to rely on God’s glorious might.
3. Give Thanks to the Father Gratitude is the foundation for everything else. Paul reminds us to be “giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints.” Remembering that God Himself has qualified us—not our own efforts—fuels our desire to go deep and our courage to stretch in faith. This is why Paul bookends his instruction with thankfulness. Gratitude is not the last step; it is the engine that drives our desire to go deep and gives us the courage to stretch.

This worthy walk is not an end in itself; it is a path leading to a greater purpose. But as Paul reveals, that purpose is often forged not in our success, but in our suffering.

Reflection Questions

1. Am I more of a spiritual “consumer” or a “contributor” in my church family? What is one practical step I can take this week to serve others?
2. What is a challenge in my life right now that feels bigger than my own abilities? How can I reframe this as an opportunity to “stretch” my faith and rely on God’s power?
3. How can I cultivate a more consistent posture of thankfulness for the inheritance I have in Christ?

Prayer

Let’s come before God and ask Him to fill us with the knowledge of His will. Choose one of the three areas—going deep, stretching in faith, or giving thanks—and ask for the Holy Spirit’s strength to take a concrete step in that area this week.