Kingdom Tension Part 19

At Keys Vineyard Church, we are presenting a series called ‘Kingdom Tension,’ which we post here on Online Bible Institute.

Last week, in our Kingdom Tension series, we discussed attitude and how our thoughts and responses significantly impact our spiritual journey. This week, Paul takes us a step further in Colossians 1:10, where he prays that believers would “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.”

Colossians 1:9–10 (NIV)
9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, 10 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,

That word “live” (or “walk” in some translations) really matters. It is not just about believing the right things or saying the right words; it is about how we move through life. Our walk shows who we are following. When we yield to the Spirit and let God’s wisdom shape us, our everyday choices start to reflect Jesus. That is what Paul longed to see in the church: people who not only hear the Gospel but also live it out, so that others can see Christ in them.

Notice how Paul connects living a worthy life to “bearing fruit in every good work.” He is not talking about random acts of kindness just for the sake of being nice. He is talking about the kind of good works that actually bear fruit, actions that point people to Jesus, that advance the Gospel, that overflow from a transformed heart. It is possible to do good things that make us feel better, but do not have an eternal impact. Paul reminds us that real fruit comes when our works are rooted in Him.

Then he adds, “growing in the knowledge of God.” That is not just head knowledge. It is not about collecting Bible trivia or ticking boxes on a reading plan. It is about actually knowing Him relationally, personally, deeply. It is the difference between knowing about someone famous and sitting down at the table with a close friend. When we know God in that way, our lives begin to overflow with His character.

At the heart of all this is the Gospel itself: Jesus died for us, He rose again, and He is coming back. That truth binds us together, fuels our faith, and calls us to live differently.

Here is the exciting part. If the church today really decides to walk in a way worthy of the Lord, pleasing Him, bearing fruit, and growing in Him, God can do incredible things through us. In the middle of a chaotic world, the local church could shine brighter than ever, showing people what the Gospel looks like in real life.

This weekend at Keys Vineyard Church, we will discuss all this and more, so be sure to join us in person or online.

Steve Lawes is a pastor at Keys Vineyard Church and also the founder of the Online Bible Institute Network.