Colossians 1:10-12; Ephesians 5:1-10 – A Life Pleasing to the Lord
When Paul prayed that the believers might increase in the knowledge of the will of God v.9, it was not so that they would be able to parade their knowledge or be proud of their achievement. As far as Paul was concerned, the purpose of his prayer is very clear and specific; it was that the believers would live lives that were pleasing to the Lord. This life of God-pleasing is described by four phrases.
It is a life of fruit bearing. Jesus speaks in John 15 of the inevitability of fruit bearing in the life of anybody who ‘is joined to the vine v.5. Paul too, speaks of the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5. This fruit should be seen in the life of every believer to one degree or another.
It is a life of increasing knowledge. The more knowledge a person has of Christ, the more he will want to know; so Paul cries out in Philippians 3:10 ‘Oh that I might know him…’.
It is a life of continual strengthening. The inherent weakness of even the best of the saints of God is overcome by the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, and the more we know of him and of the resources of power at our disposal through Christ, the more we are able to say with Paul; ‘I can do all things through him who strengthens me’. This strength enables the believer to cope with difficult circumstances (steadfastness), and to face opposition and persecution (patience).
It is a life of joyful thanksgiving. One of the characteristic marks of the apostles and the first century Christians was that they were able to rejoice in the most adverse of circumstances. Even suffering the most awful persecutions they were enabled to rejoice that they were counted worthy to suffer for the name of Christ.
Questions
- How do you think a believer can know if he is bearing fruit in his life?
- How can a Christian develop a life of thankfulness?
Prayer Points
- Pray that you would bear much fruit.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.