Living a Life Worthy

Colossians 1:1–1

​1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 To God’s holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters[a] in Christ: Grace and peace to you from God our Father. 3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people— 5 the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel 6 that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace. 7 You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, 8 and who also told us of your love in the Spirit. 9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, 10 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, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

It’s a joy to gather again in the presence of our gracious God, who never tires of drawing us deeper into His love. Paul begins his letter to the Colossians with a powerful mix of gratitude and intercession. These are not casual greetings; they are words of identity and mission. “To God’s holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ” (v. 2).

They are in Colossae, a real city, facing real challenges. But more importantly, they are in Christ, anchored in eternal truth. Brothers and sisters, you too are in Muskoka, or wherever you find yourself, but more deeply, you are in Christ. This is where Paul begins: reminding the believers who they are. Our geography doesn’t determine our identity; our relationship with Christ does.

Paul says: “We always thank God... because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people, the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven” (vv. 3–5). Three theological virtues show up here:

• Faith in Jesus
• Love for others
• Hope anchored in heaven

Wesleyan theology reminds us that the grace of God enables us to grow in these virtues through the Spirit. Paul doesn’t just thank God for their initial conversion; he gives thanks for how their faith is producing real fruit in the way they live.

Question for us: Is our faith producing love? Are we known for our love for all God’s people, especially those different from us? This kind of hope is not wishful thinking. It is a stored inheritance, a hope that shapes our present with a vision of eternity.

And how did this hope come to them? Through the Gospel, preached and made alive by the Spirit: “The gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world” (v. 6). Even in small towns like Colossae. Even in places like Bracebridge. Paul now shifts from thanksgiving to intercession. He says: “We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives...” (v. 9).

This isn’t about information but transformation. God wants to fill us, not with opinions, not with trends, but with His will. And the Spirit gives us that wisdom and understanding.
 
John Wesley said, “Knowledge of the will of God is not enough; it must lead to obedience and love.” “...that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way...” What does that life look like? Paul gives four signs:

1. Bearing fruit in every good work.  This is holiness in action—compassion, justice, mercy.
2. Growing in the knowledge of God. Not just head knowledge, but relational intimacy.
3. Being strengthened with all power. God’s glorious might, not our own. For endurance and patience.
4. Giving joyful thanks to the Father. Gratitude is the soundtrack of the Christian life.

“For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves...” Church, this is the climax. We are not just trying to be better people; we have been rescued from the domain of darkness. We are now citizens of another Kingdom. We don’t earn this transfer; we receive it.

1. Ask the Spirit to reveal God’s will to you daily. Don’t settle for just getting through the day. Ask: Lord, what would please You today?
2. Measure your maturity by your fruit. Is your life showing love, patience, joy, and faithfulness?
3. Remember your rescue. Don’t live as if you’re still in the dark. Live like someone who’s been transferred into light.
4. Encourage others in their walk. Just as Paul prayed for the Colossians, pray for your church family.
Mention their names before God. Encourage their growth.

I once heard of a pastor who described the Christian life like a tree planted in a dark forest. At first, it grows slowly. But with time, the roots dig deep. The tree finds light breaking through the canopy. The more it leans toward the light, the more fruit it bears. Brothers and sisters, lean toward the Light. You have been rescued, redeemed, and re-rooted in Christ.

So today, as we hear Paul’s words echo across the centuries:
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• Let us walk worthy of the Lord.
• Let us bear fruit, grow strong, give thanks.
• Let us remember that we belong to a Kingdom that cannot be shaken.
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“To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen.”