9 - Walking Worthy of the Lord

One of the dangers in the Christian life is to accumulate Bible knowledge without having God's purpose for that knowledge at the forefront of our thinking. That can lead to pride, which leads to other problems.

Being filled with the knowledge of God's will (Colossians 1:9) has a purpose. At the beginning of Colossians 1:10, Paul tells us the legitimate goal of Bible knowledge: "that you may walk worthy of the Lord."

If anyone has any other goal in mind, Paul will tell the Colossians in chapter two -- whether it's mingling Biblical truth with human philosophy, promoting legalism, or inventing your own doctrines -- then watch out! You've detoured onto a dangerous road. "Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men . . . Let no one cheat you of your reward" (2:8 & 16).

The purpose for gaining knowledge of God's Word is so that you can be filled with -- that is, controlled by -- the knowledge of God's will, in order that you may conduct your life in a way that is worthy of being identified with the Lord Jesus Christ.

That's the focus of this week's broadcast as we continue our series, Christ Above All: Studies in Colossians.