Growing in Faith: A Life Worthy of the Lord

..live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way...Colossians 1:10

Last week I had a phone call with my good friend Ed. He and I have shared ministry experiences and some life struggles together. We don't talk often but whenever we chat our time together is always rich because our conversation inevitably turns to matters of faith. 

Ed shared the above captioned verse with me and reminded me that living a life worthy of the Lord involves increasing in our knowledge of him and bearing fruit. 

Through this conversation I was reminded that being a disciple of Jesus is not a static state for believers. Romans 11:33 reminds us that regardless of how long we have been a disciple of Jesus there is still a lot to learn. 

"Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
    How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!"

The knowledge we have about Father, Son and Holy Spirit at the time we decide to become disciples is pretty limited. This initial step of faith will be tested time and time again in our lives.

I encourage you to read Colossians 1:9-14 for the full context of what the Apostle Paul is saying about our need to grow in knowledge and wisdom in order to be strengthened, to develop endurance and patience.  

A word of caution - we need to be careful to not allow ourselves to think that somehow living a life worthy of the Lord is an effort in self -will and works. The reality is, being a disciple is all about: 

"giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light." (v12)