“…that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory“

that you would walk worthy of God

The word “that” expresses purpose. The gospel team designed their ministry so that the people at Thessalonica “would walk worthy of God.” Any other motive is not suitable for God’s purpose. There is a great temptation to minister for our reputation. This is to live for our ego rather than for the highest purpose in life.

Paul appeals to us that we would “walk worthy of God.” The figure of “walk” suggests living as a mode of operation. The word “walk” comes from two words: around and walk. Walk around carries the idea of a course of life, a manner of life. We take God into everything we are and do.

“Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so, we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4).

”For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).

“I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16).

“And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma” (Ephesians 5:2).

“Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time” (Colossians 4:5 ).

“But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7 ).

If it is impossible to be worthy of God, why does Paul challenge us to “walk worthy of God?” We can never be worthy of God because God is absolute. The adverb “worthy” calls attention to the manner or mode of our walk. Our lives should reflect God’s character.

“I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called…” (Ephesians 4:1).

“Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God…” (1 Thessalonians 4:1).

To walk worthy of God is to walk in such a way that God would be proud of us.

“For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He [Jesus] is not ashamed to call them brethren…” (Hebrews 2:11).

Our only worth is the finished work of Christ. We can conduct our lives in a way that will glorify Him. We live our lives in a fashion that is consistent with His character. If our lives do not match the Savior’s life to any measurable degree, we are not living worthy of our salvation. Our lives should be suitable to our salvation. That is only proper and appropriate for a child of the King.

“…that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance” (Acts 26:20).

Principle:

The grand object of ministry is to walk worthy of God.

Application:

The grand object of all teaching and discipling is that believers will walk worthy of God because He calls them into His kingdom and glory. This is a big order. Walking worthy of those who disciple us is one thing, but walking worthy of God is another.

“Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel…” (Philippians 1:27).

We crawl before we walk. We toddle when we begin to walk. We walk before we run. The Christian walk is a process. It takes balance to walk physically. It takes appropriation of truth to experience to walk spiritually.

A mature believer lifts the bar, the standard of his purpose in life. He lives in such a way as to be a credit to Christ. He does not dishonor or disgrace the Son of God. We have all watched some children disgrace their parents. Nothing breaks the heart of a parent more than this. It breaks the heart of God to watch His children fall as well.

“…that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God…” (Colossians 1:10).

The mature Christian constantly evaluates what in his life may reflect on God. He holds high the bloodstained banner of the cross.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).