“And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord…” (Col. 1:9-10 ESV).

Paul prayed that the Colossian believers would live “in a manner worthy of the Lord.” What does that mean? To be honest, I don’t feel worthy of the Lord. My own sinfulness often reminds me of my unworthiness to earn his approval. And yet, this is what I am called to do. How is that possible? Before we can understand our duty as Christians, we have to begin with a basic understanding of our standing with God.

If we forget what Jesus accomplished on the cross, we will never feel qualified to be the sons of God. But through faith in what Jesus accomplished, God has made us qualified to join the rest of the saints of God. As we read in verses 12-14, God had delivered us from the power of darkness to the kingdom of his Son Jesus. And through Jesus’ death and resurrection, the price for our sins has been paid and God has forgiven us. What we never could have accomplished, God did through our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Through him, I stand before God as if I had never sinned!

Armed with a good understanding of our qualification through Jesus, we now can understand what Paul meant in verses 9-11. Our thankful hearts should lead to walking through life in a way that is worthy of the Lord. In other words, we have a choice to make. Are my thoughts, speech, and actions pleasing to the Lord? The only way to know this is by searching the Scriptures and praying for God’s help. As we do, God will fill us with his wisdom, cause us to understand his ways, strengthen us with his power, and change us into what we ought to be.

If you have been redeemed through the blood of Jesus, you are qualified to walk worthy of the Lord. You now have a choice to make. Will you live today in a manner that is pleasing to him and worthy of his approval? With God’s help you can.