In a Manner Worthy

by David Gibson

This is not about the Lord’s Supper, but instead draws on six passages on how we are to live.

• “. . . like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory” (I Thessalonians 2:12).
• “. . . 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, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:9-10).
• “Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that . . . I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel . . .” (Philippians 1:27 NASB).
• “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:1-3).
• “I commend to you our sister Phoebe . . . that you receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and that you help her in whatever matter she may have need of you . . .” (Romans 16:1-2 NASB).
• “Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are . . . . You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God. For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth” (III John 5-8).

Observations

Living in a manner worthy involves both the vertical dimension: “fully pleasing to Him” (Colossians 1:9-10) and the horizontal: “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love” (Ephesians 4:1-3) and assisting Christians who actively serve and evangelize (Romans 16:1-2; III John 5-8).

What a tall order He has given us! But He never requires the impossible. With His strong help, walking in a manner worthy is altogether doable. Otherwise, He wouldn’t expect it of us, would He?