Shadrach

Colossians 1:10, “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God”

John 17:18, “As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world”
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They meet once a year, a group of ordinary and unassuming veterans who have one thing in common, their nation’s highest military award for bravery. Almost all of them agree that the Congressional Medal of Honor has transformed and redefined their lives. For many, it has thrust them into the public eye. One recipient, evaluating its effect on his thought and behavior said, “You’re representing everybody and everything the medal represents.” As born-again-believers, we also share a distinguishing mark far more defining than any medal and that is the name of Christ. We profess to be followers of Jesus and servants of the Lord, and for that reason, the apostle Paul prayed for his fellow believers (as we should) to “walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him” (Colossians 1:10). He also urged believers in Christ to be “fruitful” in good works and to be characterized by such qualities as patience, joy, and thankfulness (vv. 11-12). Our conduct should not be guided by expectations that come from ourselves or from the people around us. They must come from the Lord Jesus Christ, who has redeemed us, called us, and given us His name. Rather than feeling trapped by a set of external standards, we can and must celebrate the honor of bearing Christ’s name and the freedom of pleasing only Him.
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Further reflection:

As believers in Christ, this isn’t our home; however, while we are here we must walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and especially increasing in the knowledge of God our Creator. There’s an old gospel song that says, “This world is not my home, I’m just a-passin’ through.” Because God has promised us a new earth (2 Peter 3:13), it’s correct for believers to say that we are only passing through this present world on our way to our final home. In Max Lucado’s book When God Whispers Your Name, he writes, “The only ultimate disaster that can befall us … is to feel ourselves to be home on earth.” He then tells of a fish lying on a beach, its gills gasping. He explains that because the fish is not made for the beach it won’t be happy until it is put back into its element – the water. Likewise my brethren, because we’re not made for this imperfect world we’ll never be happy until we’re in our true element – heaven. Lucado adds, “This is not heaven, so don’t expect it to be.” Although this isn’t our final home, we are to do more than just pass through. The Holy Spirit came at Pentecost (Acts 2) to work powerfully in and through us as believers to influence our society. Jesus prayed, “As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world” (John 17:18). We are to serve others, as He did. Thus, knowing God and serving Him here below is perfect preparation for our true homeland above. The question then remains:

(1) Are you walking worthy for the Lord?
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The more you look forward to heaven, the less of this world you’ll desire.