Unrivalled: Christ the Ultimate InfluencerSample

Day 2: Empowered to Live a Worthy Life

Am I living a life worthy of the Lord?

Gulp. Such a question pushes us to soberly examine our lives before the Lord. What does living a life worthy of the Lord mean? How can we even do so?

In Paul’s prayer for the Colossae church, he fleshed out four indicators of living a life worthy of God and pleasing Him. Firstly, it is not insular but bears fruits for the people around (v10). Secondly, it grows in the knowledge of God and His will (v10). Thirdly, it perseveres even in the face of opposition (v11). Lastly, it can grasp how glorious our salvation is and is grateful for it (v12).

We may feel disheartened when we measure these four indicators against our lives. We may even question if it is even possible for anyone to achieve this biblical standard of living to please God.

When we look closer at Paul’s prayer, he stressed that believers could only please God through their lives when God’s almighty power works in them. Paul knew without a doubt that man’s own feeble efforts would never be enough. Hence, he reminded the believers that only God’s divine power can enable them to live worthy of the calling they have received.

As much as we desire to walk right before God, we need to realise that when He rescued us and brought us into His kingdom, He also provided His Spirit, who empowers us. God fills us so we can bear fruit, grow in His knowledge, have great endurance and display joyful gratitude. That is if we choose consciously to continually depend on Him. No amount of striving, trying harder, self-discipline, or positive thinking can do so. It is both comforting and humbling to know that pleasing God is something we can only do with His empowerment. We can take no credit for it, but we do not need to fall into despair when we fail.

So, let’s remember that you have an inexhaustible divine partner to rely on to live a life that pleases our Lord. Even as we seek a personal revival in our hearts, we can indeed look ultimately to God for His empowerment.

Prayer Points

• If you have not received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, you can ask the Lord to baptise you in the Spirit. Remember that God wants to baptise us in the Spirit because He wants to empower us in a greater measure for holy living and effective service.
• If you have received the baptism of the Spirit, you can ask the Lord to give you a fresh infilling of the Spirit. Remember that God’s design for us is to be continually filled with the Spirit. We need God’s continual empowerment to continue living a worthy and effective life for Him.
• Are you struggling to persevere in your faith amid opposition? Are you longing for certain breakthroughs in your life and ministry? Ask the Lord to empower you afresh with His Spirit. The Lord can enable you to do what you cannot do by your own strength and ability alone through His Spirit’s empowerment.