“Live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work…” Colossians 1:10

These lists that Paul gives for a worthy life are not a new legal standard. He is not saying you will somehow obtain a status of “worthiness” if you master the five or six items he lists. Instead, they are a description of a new type of life, a life befitting the very essence of the rich and vibrant life available in God‘s kingdom, right here and now in apprenticeship to Jesus.

They are designed to seize the individual and corporate imaginations of Jesus’ friends. They create a constant vision of life in God’s kingdom that fuels lifelong apprenticeship with Jesus into his character, power, and faith.

Let’s take the first item on the list from Colossians 1:10 as an example, “bearing fruit in every good work.” The phrase “good works” doesn’t refer to personal moral behavior. Rather, it was a phrase used for humanitarian efforts. NT Wright states that “good works” are things Christians do in the wider community for the benefit of the wider community. These are acts of love and goodwill for our neighbors and even for our enemies.

Imagine growing into a type of life where you would be able to walk into any situation and have the knowledge, experience, and wisdom to know what specific good needed to be done for the people involved. And you would be growing into the character, power, and faith of Jesus to bring that good into being. Healing the sick. Feeding the hungry. Caring for the poor. Comforting the hurting. Accepting the rejected. Counseling the confused. Educating the uninformed and unskilled. Encouraging the disheartened. Creating beauty. Sharing hope with gentleness and respect.

Imagine a life where good works for others flowed easily, joyfully, and generously from your daily life. Imagine that every act of goodwill bears fruit. Because you are like a branch connected to the healthy and robust vine, your life, and the works flowing from your life, are filled with a power beyond your own. None of your effort or generosity is in vain. The words you speak, the moments you serve, the money you give, the prayers you utter, all bear fruit in God‘s kingdom.

Imagine waking up each morning thrilled at the prospect of God using you through the day and then returning to bed each night swirling in wonder and gratitude at the people and situations you filled with goodness.

This is just one aspect of living a life worthy of the Lord and delighting him in every way.