“Every Good Work” (Col 1:10)

“For this cause we also, since the day we heard [of your love in the Spirit], do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that you might be filled with knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work; and increasing in the knowledge of God” (vs9-10).

Not “some” good works but every good work, so that God commands us to grow in every aspect of life: we aren’t to say, “I’m ok over here”, and refuse to grow over there. Instead, every area the gospel touches, trust the Son of God to pardon and cleanse. Shut no doors, for in shut doors, you’ll find terrible loss in your life. Change everything about you continually and tolerate none of Adam’s ways within.

I preached the gospel and the word of God brought conviction to me as I lay in bed that night, that I cannot lust and allow myself to indulge the thoughts of my brain; I have a higher calling.  I’m not to preach and say, “OK, I’ve done my job, so I get a break”, but I’m to abound in all works of grace continually, for my own good. God’s will is my pleasure, so let me get to obeying and honoring God, so that Christ be glorified, others helped, and I might be happy. Let us FIGHT with and WAR with sin, putting it off continually - “But put you on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof“ (Rom 13:14).

Don’t say that any of your faults are unnoticeable and ok. I saw myself preaching on TV, and what a painful thing it is. Let me see MORE love the next time, more humility, and let me not get fat and say, “My doctrine is right, and I know more than others, so it is ok if I’m mean or cruel, hard or course”. None of this is GOD’S way; His way is fruitfulness and change, and He is where people obey Him - “And we are his witnesses of [Christ‘s exaltation]; and so is also the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to them that obey him“ (Acts 5:32).

People say, “I want God”, but you’d have God, if you took change seriously.  If you wanted to obey God, He’d help you do the deed. But, if you want happiness only, you can get that from pornography or fornication for a season… you can get it from family and friends… hobbies and work… and you can have a FALSE happiness that isn’t peaceful. But, if you want joy in Christ, then grow, yield fruit, and obey. The hymn writer said wisely, “Trust and obey, for there‘s no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey“.

Believe He loves you enough to change you, and be changed. This is God’s will for you, and you’ll find PEACE no other place!