Scripture: “We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.” [This sentence is rather long, so we’ll give it more than one day.]
Observation: So, what is “a life worthy of the Lord” that is pleasing to Him? Paul lays out some features and a picture emerges. “Bearing fruit in every good work” points to spiritual maturity with their hands and feet in faithful works of ministry. “Growing in the knowledge of God” points to spiritual maturity with their heads in deeper understanding of who God is. “Being strengthened with all power… so that you may have great endurance and patience” points to spiritual maturity in their hearts as they tap into the deep resources needed for emotional fortitude.
Taken together, we see that ongoing spiritual maturity is God’s desire for us. He wants us to make faithful progress in works of ministry with our hands, understanding with our heads, and virtues of the heart. In other words, faithful discipleship involves growth. Stagnating is not God’s will for us. Progressing in spiritual maturity and faithfulness what God wants.
Application: How would I rate my spiritual progress in hands, head, and heart? Compared with a month ago? Compared with a year ago? What might be a next step for me in each one of these areas?
Prayer: Lord, may your Spirit work within me, so that I may increase in fruitful works, grow in knowledge of you, and cultivate great endurance and patience. For your glory’s sake. Amen.
“But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” (Matthew 13:23)
If you liked this post from Seeds of Faith, why not share it and/or subscribe?
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™
“Lord, may your Spirit work within me, so that I may increase in fruitful works, grow in knowledge of you, and cultivate great endurance and patience.” I like your words and am using it in my prayers this morning. Thanks.