Posted on 02/25/2026 12:35:33 AM PST by metmom
"So that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects" (Col. 1:10). Your manner of life should be consistent with Christ’s.
In Colossians 1:9 Paul speaks of being controlled by the knowledge of God's will. In verse 10 he speaks of walking in a manner worthy of the Lord. There is a direct cause-and-effect relationship between those verses. When you are controlled by the knowledge of God's will, you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord.
The Greek word translated "walk" means "to order one's behavior." It's a common New Testament metaphor for one's lifestyle. Paul made a similar plea to the Thessalonians: "Walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory" (1 Thess. 2:12).
The thought of being worthy of the Lord might raise some eyebrows because we usually relate worthiness to merit or something deserved. But that isn't Paul's point at all. The Greek word translated "worthy" in Colossians 1:10 speaks of something that weighs as much or carries the same value as something else. He isn't saying we deserve Christ, but that our conduct should be consistent with His.
That is Peter's point in 1 Peter 2:21: "You have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps." John said, "The one who says he abides in [Christ] ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked" (1 John 2:6). He added in 2 John 6, "Walk according to His commandments." That's how you demonstrate your love for Christ (John 14:15) and please Him in every respect.
As a word of encouragement, a worthy walk is not a walk of sinless perfection. That won't happen until you are fully glorified. But each day you are growing in godliness as a result of the Spirit's transforming work in you (2 Cor. 3:18). Be faithful to that process. Set your affections on Christ, look to His Word, and rejoice in the privilege of becoming more like Him today.
Suggestions for Prayer
-Thank God for the power and guidance of His Spirit in your life.
-Be diligent to confess your sin when you stray from a worthy walk.
For Further Study
-Read Ephesians 4:1-3 and Philippians 1:27-30.
-What specific attitudes are involved in a worthy walk?
-Does a worthy walk eliminate the possibility of suffering or persecution?
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Studying God’s Word ping
Romans 8:7-14 (ESV)
[7] For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot.
[8] Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
[9] You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.
[10] But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
[11] If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.
[12] So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.
[13] For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
[14] For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
As the devotion said, we'll never know sinless perfection until we get to heaven. But the struggle to try and achieve a walk consistent with His always weighs on my mind, and I feel like I always fall short of expectations. Then I get depressed, unworthy. Yet, I know all that is the work of the enemy.
God bless you milady.
Even the best of us are not worthy of God’s mercy. That is why Jesus took it on for us.
Same here.
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