3. The Purpose of the Prayer.
Knowledge is not an end in itself, but the means to an end; and so the Apostle states the purpose for which he asks this knowledge of God’s will: “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all-pleasing ... fruitful ... increasing ... strengthened ... giving thanks.”
Their life is to be influenced by this knowledge—“walk worthy of the Lord.” Knowledge is to be translated into practice. “Walking” is the characteristic Bible word descriptive of the character of the Christian life, the full expression of all our powers. As it presupposes life, so it means energy, movement, progress; and for this, knowledge is essential. How can we walk unless we know why and whither we go? The knowledge of God’s will gives point and purpose to the activities of life.
“Walk worthy of the Lord.” What a profound and searching thought is here—“Worthy of the Lord.” Surely this is impossible; yet these are the plain words of the inspired writer. To walk worthy of the Lord—it is almost incredible, and yet this is one of the possibilities and glories of grace. The Apostle is fond of the word “worthy.” We are to walk worthy of our vocation (Eph. iv. 1), worthy of the Gospel (Phil. i. 27), worthy of the saints (Rom. xvi. 2), worthy of God (1 Thess. ii. 12). We may be perfectly sure that Paul would not put such an ideal before us if it could not be realised. God’s commands always imply promises.
“Unto all pleasing.” Bishop Moule beautifully renders this phrase: “Unto every anticipation of His will” (Colossian Studies). “Teach me to do the thing that pleaseth Thee” (P. B. version). What a glorious ideal! We are so to walk as to please Him in everything. Not only doing what we are told, but anticipating His commands by living in such close touch with Him that we instinctively know the thing that will please Him. These words sound a depth of the spiritual life with which comparatively few are familiar; and yet here they are, facing us definitely, with their call to realise that which God has placed before us.
The specific details of this worthy walk are next brought before us in four pregnant phrases:
“Being fruitful in every good work.” Notice every word of this sentence. Our life is to be characterised by good works, and in each and every one of these we are to be fruitful, manifesting the ripeness, and, if it may be so put, the beauty and lusciousness associated with fruit. Mark, too, that it is “fruitful in every good work,” that is, in the process of doing the work, and not merely as the result or outcome of it. The very work itself is intended to be fruitful apart from particular results. There may be very few results of our service for God, but the service itself may and should be fruitful.
“Increasing in the knowledge of God.” Notice the difference between the knowledge of His will and the knowledge of Himself. “That I may know Him” (Phil. iii. 10); “They might know Thee” (John xvii. 3); “Ye have known Him” (1 John ii. 13). The knowledge of His will will lead us to the knowledge of Himself, and beyond this it is impossible to go.
“Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness.” The Apostle’s thought pours itself out in rich abundance in these words. It seems as though he could not adequately express the possibilities and characteristics of the Christian life about which he prays. They are to be “strengthened,” and not only so, but “with all might.” The principle or standard of it is “according to His glorious power,” and the end of it is “unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness.” The man of the world might see in this phrase an anticlimax, when it is said that the end of strength is patience and longsuffering; and yet Christianity finds its ideal in energy expressed in character, activity manifesting itself in passivity, and might in meekness.
Notice, too, the suggestive addition, “with joyfulness.” Patience and longsuffering without joy are apt to be cold, chilly, unattractive. There is a stern, stoical endurance of suffering which, while it may be admired sometimes, tends to repel. But when patience and longsuffering are permeated and suffused with joyfulness, the very life of Christ is lived over again in His followers. Resignation to the will of God is only very partially a Christian virtue; but when we take joyfully the things that come upon us we are indeed manifesting the very life of God Himself.