Bearing Fruit
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Colossians 1:9-14
9. And so, from the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10. to lead a life worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. 11. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, 12. giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13. He has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14. in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Paul prays that the Colossians will have a wisdom, a knowing and understanding of God’s word that transcends just reading the words on a page. His prayer is that they will open themselves to divine revelation of the meaning behind the words. That they will have insights granted only to those who seek them--revealed through faith in Christ.
What does it mean to live a life worthy of the Lord? I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately, as I’ve been placed in some situations where I’m expected to compromise my ethics, and my core values. It’s most challenging I think when this occurs in our jobs, because we rely upon our salaries to live! And I think if we are in a corporate environment where “the end justifies the means” it’s natural to slip into what I call “casual Christianity.”
Over time, that “line drawn in the sand” moves farther and farther. Eventually its so far behind you, that you can’t even see it! How do we reconcile ourselves to that fact of living in the world? Don’t we try to minimize the importance of each decision to take that route? “It was a small thing. In the big scheme of things it won’t really matter.” Do we even remember when the “small things” became bigger things, and then every day, in every situation we just did business that way -- with no thought of right or wrong -- just of getting the job done?
I certainly do not intend to pass judgment on a single person! I don’t begrudge anyone doing what they need to do to make a living “in the world.” But I would ask that you join me today in praying for that spiritual wisdom Paul talks about. I know God will strengthen you with all power, for all endurance and patience with joy as you traverse the rocky terrain of living “of the world.”
I hope today you will ask God how you can bear fruit in each situation. And that you rely upon the strength of the risen Christ to stand your ground when you must.
Mary
