walk worthily of the Lord

In Colossians 1:10, Paul writes about “walking worthily of the Lord.” What does Paul mean by that? The word “worthily”, we have to take literally: something that fits with the worthiness of the Deity. “Walking worthily of the Lord” is a walk that demonstrates His worthiness. This presupposes that we cherish the Lord, i.e., we appreciate and value His glory and dignity. That also fits the context in which Paul records this sentence. He prays for the Colossians (verse 9) that they may be filled with the realization of His will, in all wisdom and spiritual insight, with the goal to “walk worthily of the Lord”. It starts with knowledge and from out of it, it flows into a realization (Gr. epi-gnosis). The walking of which Paul speaks is not a moralistic exhortation: a behavior that is clean and tidy for the eye. No, it is to come from the inside: every step is to be made in the realization of HIS worthiness, glory and dignity; yes, although with both feet on the ground, nevertheless, with our head and heart in heaven! This last comment is obviously ambiguous. It means we walk with heads held high; our heads up high, and our hearts upwards. But such a formulation derives its meaning precisely from the fact that the HEAD, the First One, that is Christ, is literally and physically, above. Paul is not for nothing, in this letter, calling all to “be seeking that which is above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.” (Col.3:1). A cheerful (!) Life is not possible if we fixate on things here on earth, because that depresses us. With our heads up high, we realize that there’s where our life is and that the victory over death is a fact. Indeed, our life is hidden. Therefore, we seek the things that are above, because they are not to be found on the street, neither are they mentioned in the headlines of the news. But that does not lessen the fact. We patiently wait for the moment, when Christ, who is our life, will appear in glory (Col. 3:4). A glory which, eventually, will be shared by every creature (Col.1:20). How wonderful, with such a prospect, to always walk with our HEAD in the clouds!

Delen: