Colossians 1:10,11
by Dr. Grant C. Richison
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Colossians 1:10
"that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being
fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God"
Paul's purpose in this passage is that the Colossians would live a life
pleasing to God.
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"that you may walk "
"Walk" means to live a course of life as a philosophy of life
(Co. 2:6; 3:7; 4:4). We must not divorce our position in Christ from our
daily course of life. The standing of the believer must relate to the state
of his life. The first two chapters of Colossians set forth our status
quo before God; it is perfect in Christ. Although our position is right
before God, we must ring the changes on our walk if our position is going
to be effective on a daily basis. If we walk a carnal life, it will not
affect the status of our standing before God. However, God is interested
in our walk.
Paul holds up a high ideal that we "walk worthy of the Lord.."
Paul never separated doctrine from life or theology from experience. The
word "walk" unites what we believe with how we live. H.C.G. Moule
says we are to "beware of an untheological devotion." That kind
of devotion will ultimately evaporate and disintegrate.
Paul is afraid that alien philosophy will invade Christian truth. He wants
the Colossians both to know what they believe and live out what they believe.
Many people believe that they can live a healthy spiritual life with a
minimum of Bible. However warm and fuzzy this thinking may be, it is dangerous
to the very foundation of Christianity. There is no "last" to
it. Fashions of thought and attractive personalities cannot sustain the
Christian life.
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"worthy of the Lord"
The word "worthy" means of equal value. The adverb "worthy"
means suitably, in a becoming manner; in a manner of equal value with the
thing (in our case -- person) referred to. We are to walk according to
the equal value of the Lord. Our lives are to be commensurate with who
our Lord is. Our lives should reflect the person we know so intimately.
The way we live should mirror our Lord and what he did for us. Is our
life consistent with the character of Christ (Compare I Th 2:12; Ro 16:2;
Eph 4:1; Phil 1:27)? Creed and conduct are inseparable.
None of us are worthy. Our goal is to walk in such a way that it will reflect
on the Lord of glory in a positive way.
PRINCIPLE: Walking worthy of the Lord presupposes that we know who and
what the Lord is and has done so that we can match our life with his provision
for us.
APPLICATION: Are we praying for each other in these days of doctrinal erosion?
Is your life suited or fitted for the Lord you serve? Do you have a case
of arrested spiritual development? Are you eating right? Maybe spiritual
paralysis has set in? You may not be totally paralyzed, just immobilized.
We may be impotent in the Christian life. Are we operating at 50% of our
peak potential? We could be a 50% better Christian if we "walked worthy"
of the Lord.
Our walk is our testimony. The Christian's testimony (II Cor. 1:12) is
like a young woman's reputation. It takes a long time to build but a very
short time to lose it. Once we lose our testimony it takes a long time
to build confidence in us again. The attitude of many people is "They
did it once, they'll do it again. They will revert to type."
When we walk a life that corresponds to the who and what the Lord is, we
will "please Him."
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"fully pleasing Him"
Literally, this phrase means "unto all pleasing." Paul wants us
to give pleasure to the Lord. "Finally then, brethren, we urge and
exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you
received from us how you ought to walk and to please God" (I Th 4:1).
This also infers that a true Christian may have God's displeasure.
This word "pleasing" was used originally in the negative sense
of a "yes-man" in extra biblical Greek. This person is willing
to do anything to please a benefactor. The Bible does not use this word
in the sense of a cringing attitude. "Pleasing" implies anticipation
to meet the desires of God.. It is the willingness to do any wish the Lord
may please. It is the desire to fulfill what is eternally due to God.
We think of the Lord's desires in association with affection. We love him,
how can we please him? We try to please the Lord beyond the explicit statements
of Scripture. Just as a devoted son seeks to please a parent, we seek
to please God. We seek to anticipate God's wishes, "Therefore we
make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him"
(II Cor 5:9).
People need prayer that they will please God over men. There is a great
temptation to live our lives around what men think as over against what
God thinks. God condemns pleasing men (Col 3:22; I Th 2:4; Gal 1:10).
Four results come from pleasing God with our lives:
1. "being fruitful in every good work" (v. 10)
2. "increasing in the knowledge of God" (v 10)
3. "strengthened with all might" (v. 11)
4. "giving thanks to the Father" (v. 12)
PRINCIPLE: It is possible to please God.
APPLICATION: Are you seeking to correspond your life with God's provisions
for you? Are you, therefore, pleasing God? Are you interested in giving
God pleasure? We cannot please everyone so we might as well please the
Lord and let the chips fall where they may. Would you like God to be proud
of your life? When your children make a good play in baseball we are proud:
"That's my boy/girl!" On the other hand, when our children embarrass
us by their behavior when we have company, we want to disown them or make
out like they belong to our neighbors. God is not ashamed to call us "brothers"
(Heb. 2:11). Are you walking in such a way as to warrant the smile of heaven?
Are you living with a great amount of spiritual aberration? God is not
happy with erratic spiritual walk. Everything we do reflects on God.
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"being fruitful in every good work"
The words "being fruitful" and "increasing" were also
used in verse six. This phrase directs attention to the life within. Knowledge
without appropriation of knowledge is vain.
Christ is the source and energy to produce the fruit. The Christian should
produce fruit drawn from Christ. Present tense = the Christian life is
to constantly bear fruit, not simply on occasion. To be fruitful means
to be productive (John 15:1-5).
"In every good work" is active goodness of any kind (Eph 2:10;
Gal 5:5; Titus 1:16; 2:7,14; 3:8,15). Works are not the foundation of a
right relationship to God but the outcome of that relationship. "Work"
here is any kind of activity undertaken on behalf of Christ. Everything
done for this reason is a mode of fruitfulness.
Note that it says we are to be fruitful in "every" good work.
There are many good works in the Christian life. The Christian should
work on every one of them.
We cannot come into eternal life by good works (Rom. 4:5; Eph. 2:8,9).
If a person tries to curry brownie points with God to placate an angry God
he has missed the point of Christianity. The message of Christianity is
that God IS placated by the death of Christ. Good works is the FRUIT, not
the ROOT of salvation (Eph. 2:10; Titus 2:14; 3:8). God expects us to demonstrate
to others that we have a personal relationship with him. Are you willing
to serve God on earth (Joshua 24:15; Dan. 6:20; Rom. 1:9; 14:18; I Thes
1:9,10)?
Are you involved in the things of Christ? It will be a rude awakening for
some of God's people when they stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ.
Our generation is inflected with the erroneous idea that pervades Christianity
that we hire a pastor and staff to do all the work while the congregation
sits, observes and criticizes. When we stand at the Judgment Seat we will
be accountable for the gifts and abilities God has given us. God does not
have two standards, one for the pulpit and one for the pew. There is not
one brand of Christianity for the plumber and one for the preacher. God
expects all Christians to do ministry (Eph 4:11,12).
PRINCIPLE: God has a plan for ministry for every believer.
APPLICATION: Do you have ministry? Your ministry may not be public, but
do you have a ministry? If you have come to Christ, you should have some
ministry whereby you demonstrate that you have come to know God. It need
not be spectacular or sensational ministry but it needs to be real. We
bring what we have to God's service. God does not expect us to serve him
beyond our ability. All he expects of us is to do what we can with what
we have. Bring whatever you have and say, "Lord, I would like you
to use me. I may not be brilliant but here I am. I would like to be used
by you."
God did not design the Christian life to be static. If we stand still in
our spiritual growth, we will become static.
Today, we come to the second spiritual fruit of pleasing God: increased
knowledge of God.
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"and increasing in the knowledge of God"
The word "increasing" indicates that the Christian life is progressive.
We never arrive at a complete knowledge of God. We can always learn more
about him.
The more we know of God the more we will grow in our faith (I Pet 2:2;
II Pet 1:5-7; 3:18; Jude 20). The Christian life is activated by a crisis
know as new birth. That crisis triggers a life-long process of knowing
more about God. As we "increase" our knowledge of God we move
through spiritual babyhood, childhood, adolescence and, if all things are
equal, we eventually become mature spiritual adults.
There are peculiar temptations to each phase of our spiritual journey of
maturity (I John 2:12-14). If we do not advance in our Christian life it
may be because we have not grown in our knowledge of God. We may have a
case of arrested spiritual development. We are dwarfed and have become
a spiritual pygmy. Our knowledge of God should be greater than it was last
year.
This knowledge is no mere abstract knowledge but knowledge of a person (Hosea
6:3; John 17:13). We must cultivate an appetite for knowing God. If we
continue to be spoon-fed in spiritual things we will remain a baby. We
must learn to feed ourselves. If we do so, we will increase in the knowledge
of God. There is no way to increase in the knowledge of God without increasing
in the knowledge of the Word of God.
PRINCIPLE: Our idea of God should grow larger as we grow as Christians.
APPLICATION: Is your idea of God greater today than the day you came to
know Christ? The ultimate purpose of creation is to glorify God. How can
we glorify God if we do not sufficiently know who he is?
Colossians 1:11
"strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power,
for all patience and longsuffering with joy"
The third result of pleasing God is spiritual strength. This verse has
three words for strength: "strengthened," "might" and
"power." Paul's prayers significantly emphasize power because
power transforms saints.
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"strengthened with all might"
The first word for spiritual strength is the word "strengthened."
The word "might" is spiritual vitality.
There is a play on words in this phrase, "empowered with all power."
The Colossian saints will need "all might" to meet the situation
in Colosse. Is this a tautology? The point is that we might we strengthened
with the strength of another. The power lies with God, not us. We cannot
obtain God's power via a conference in the Rockies or by a seminar on personality
development.
If we are strengthened with "all" might, does that mean we are
almighty?!! No, this is sufficient strength for whatever situation we might
face. We generally water down biblical terms. We usually translate this
word "all" to mean "some" strength. "God will
give me 'almost all' strength I need to live the Christian life!"
The word "might" is inherent ability or the ability to perform
anything. God has given us the inherent ability to perform his service.
The word "strengthened" is the term for endowed strength. This
is not a strength of our own. It is a strength that God gives.
God provides the energy, the fuel or dynamo for the Christian life. When
we draw upon this Divine dynamo we harness God's power for everyday life.
If we are inept in our Christian life, the fault lies with us. We do not
use the power God provides. There is no short-supply on God's side.
There are many promises of God whereby he gives his power to those in need:
Joshua 1:9; I Kings 2:2; Isaiah 40:29,31; Romans 4:20; I Corinthians 16:13;
II Corinthians 12:9,10; II Timothy 4:16,17; I Peter 5:10
III John 2 "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and
be in health, just as your soul prospers." John wants them to be as
strong spiritually as they are physically. If some of us were as strong
physically as we are spiritually we would be confined to a bed.
PRINCIPLE: For every requirement God makes, he makes the power available
to do what he wants of us.
APPLICATION: No matter how difficult the demand for Christian service may
be, no matter how difficult the task, God always makes available his resources
to match the need.
The second phrase for power in this verse is "according to His glorious
power."
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"according to His glorious power"
"Power" is the word for overcoming resistance. This word is only
used of God in the New Testament. Of the number of words for "power"
in the New Testament, this word means manifested power. This power is measured
by the might of God. God's "glorious power" speaks of the manifestation
of his essential being. This is the power that God declares to us when
he reveals himself to us.
The words "according to" express the measure of the supply of
power. God proportions this power to the believer, not merely according
to his need, but according to the supply of God.
"His glorious power" is the power of his glory (Eph. 1:18-23;
3:16; 6:10). This may mean according to his grace. God does not give according
to our weakness but according to his glorious power.
We have patience and longsuffering according to the might of his glory (literally).
God's glory will manifest what he can do about endurance of problems and
our temper with people. God himself will fortify us against the attacks
of Satan. Not only does the power of God help us but his "glorious"
power enables us to live the Christian life. Spiritual life needs spiritual
strength. We need more than spiritual support.
There is much talk about power in evangelical circles today. The biblical
emphasis is upon power for "endurance" and "longsuffering."
We are strengthened with "all power" and "according to his
glorious power." It takes God's power to endure circumstances and
to be longsuffering with people. Our natural proclivity is to become easily
upset at our fate or at people. God's power is important for this tendency.
PRINCIPLE: God provides divine enablement for any issue of life. God makes
us powerful with his might.
APPLICATION: When a spiritual crisis rages about your life, do you draw
upon God's power? The strength of your spiritual life will be tested when
life becomes grim with tragedy, sickness, surgery or death.
Paul prays that the Christian will have power for "all patience and
longsuffering with joy."
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"for all patience"
God's power is designed for "patience" and "longsuffering
with joy."
This is not sour resignation to the acceptance of God's will. It is not
the passive acceptance of the inevitable. "Endurance" is the pro-active
action to move ahead no matter the difficulty. Strength comes from the power
inherent in God himself. It is the ability to put our faith in the strength
that God gives us.
"Patience" is far more than the ability to bear circumstances.
It is the ability to turn adversity into a glory of God. "Patience"
does not yield to adversity in life. It faces trouble head on. No circumstance
in life can defeat a person who draws upon the power of God. No set back
can vanquish this kind of person. This person triumphs over anything life
may hand out.
The Greek word is not the same as puny English word "patience."
We say, "I wish I was more patience with my wife." This is not
the passive acceptance of the inevitable. It is unrelenting effort even
in the face of difficulty and trial.
The word in the original means tenacity or endurance. It is that capacity
of bull dog stick-to-it-tiveness. This person says, "It is too soon
to quit. I am not going to give up." A president of a college that
I attended preached a sermon every year, "Don't Quit Too Soon."
If we have God's strength strengthening us in our daily life, we will not
throw in the towel. God's power will enable us to bear through the problem.
There is a difference between "endurance" and "longsuffering."
"Endurance" relates to adverse circumstances. "Longsuffering"
relates to difficult people primarily.
"Patience" is the word "endurance" (James 1:3; 5:11).
This word is used of an athlete in Hebrews 12:1 who runs with dogged persistence
the entire course.
PRINCIPLE: "Patience" means to remain under. It does not easily
succumb to problems.
APPLICATION: A lack of patience leads to discouragement. Are you developing
a hide like a rhinoceros? The real issue is can you bear it. Are you tempted
to quit? Do you have the virtue of persistence?
Patience relates to events and circumstances while "longsuffering"
relates to people.
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"and longsuffering"
Patience and longsuffering are often placed together in Scripture (II Co
6:4,6; II Ti 3:10; James 5:10-11).
"Longsuffering" is virtue in the face of provocation from people.
Our natural instinct is to retaliate whether by act or attitude. This is
virtue in the face of provocation (I Co 13:4).
"Longsuffering" means long-temper (Gal. 5:22,23; Col 3:12). A
longsuffering person will not rashly retaliate. Can you draw out your temper
to a great length? Longsuffering is the capacity to suffer a long time.
Are you a veteran servant of Christ. Have you been tested and tried so
that you can take the heat? Can you take it?
Whereas a lack of "patience" leads to discouragement, a lack of
"longsuffering" leads to retaliation or revenge (Prov 15:18; 16:32).
"Endurance" means to sustain under pressure of trial and relates
to hope while "longsuffering" means to slow to anger and relates
to mercy.
PRINCIPLE: "Longsuffering" is patience with people.
APPLICATION: A man is as big as the people that annoy him. When criticism
comes your way, do you cave in? An occupational hazard of Christian work
is criticism. If you cannot take it you might as well make your reservation
for the first flight to the moon!! There is no such thing as life on earth
without criticism.
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"with joy"
Fortitude and longsuffering are not morose qualities but should be accompanied
by joy (inner animation; John 15:11; 16:24;II Cor 8:1,2; I Th 1:6; I Pet
1:6,8; I Jn 1:4).
The devil wants to rob us of our joy. God wants us to have inner animation
of the soul even in bad circumstances and with difficult people.
PRINCIPLE: God gives us the power to have inner animation (joy) even in
the midst of difficult circumstances and problem people.
APPLICATION: We say, "I have the right to be sour, bitter and critical
of others. I have been deeply hurt by what they said about me." God's
design for us is that we will have "joy" in any circumstance and
with any person. Do you resign yourself to the will of God or do you rejoice
in the will of God?
Copyright © 1995, Dr. Grant Richison. All rights reserved.
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