Page Two: “A Life That Pleases God” 09/16/2012
Actually there are four specific things that Paul speaks about here that bring pleasure to the LORD. Look with me at them. Colossians 1:10. They are part of a prayer Paul prayed for the Colossian Church.
“That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, [1. by] being fruitful in every good work, and [2. by] increasing in the knowledge of God;…” [3. by being] strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; and [4. by] Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light…” Simply stated, Paul says that when these four things are evident in your life, the LORD is pleased. One, as we are being fruitful in every good work. Two, as we increase in the knowledge of God. Three, as we are being strengthened with all might. And four, as we give thanks unto the Father. Today my hope is that you see and understand what it’s like to live so you please Him. First, the LORD is pleased with fruitfulness. And a life of fruitfulness comes when we are filled with the Word. Listen to Jesus on this topic. John 15:1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. (2) Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. (3) Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. (4) Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. (5) I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” Do you see where fruit-bearing comes from? It comes as we abide in Him and as we let His words have full sway in our hearts. |
Turn with me just one page to Colossians chapter three and you’ll hear Paul further delineate this matter.
Colossians 3:12 “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; (13) Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. (14) And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. (15) And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. (16) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. (17) And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” As you let His word abide in your heart so that these things rule your life, you will be a fruit-bearing Believer and therefore find yourself among the Saints whose lifestyle pleases the LORD. The first thing that pleases Him is your being a fruit-bearer. Second, you please Him when you increase in the knowledge of the LORD. Verse ten; [2. by] increasing in the knowledge of God;…” Now, at first, this sounds a bit odd, doesn’t it? Well, not really. As you know, God is infinite. There is no end to Him and there is no limit to His ability. And, you will forever be getting to know Him better. That’s His plan and it must give God great joy when we learn His ways. And let me note something here from a twentieth-century Pastor by the name of Warren Wiersbe. Here’s what he wrote about knowing the LORD. |