Worthy

Phil. 1:27

Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents. 

In this passage being worthy of the gospel, is in reference to standing firm in unity, that is facing difficulty without fear and with each other. This unity in the good and the bad is a clear sign to those unsaved of their destruction. Unity in the face of affliction or persecution should solidify faith. 

2 Thess. 1:11 says, To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of His calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by His power. Here it is clear that God makes all believers worthy  of their calling. He is the one who empowers all to stand firmly in unity and to accomplish for good their resolves and work of faith. And why? It is so that believers may be glorified in Him and He in them. 

2 Thess. 2:12 says, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. Again it is God who makes us worthy and who empowers us to walk worthy. This passage connects worthiness to personal holiness, to being righteous and blameless in our conduct with one another. 

Col. 1:10 says, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. Here worthiness is associated with fruit bearing, something that God would definitely need to supply. Also it is part of our worthiness that we increase in our knowledge of Him. That would include studying but also in that experiential knowledge that comes from growing deeper into the personal relationship. 

Eph. 4:1-3 says, I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Once again worthiness is speaking of interpersonal relationships. To live in the way that these verses describe is only sustainable through the power of the Spirit, that power that only God gives to those who are truly His. 

Acts 5:41 says, Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. Worthiness, or in this case being counted worthy, is associated with suffering. Yikes! What an attitude these early Christians had! They rejoiced that God counted them worthy enough to suffer for Him. They thought of it as a privilege. 

So much to think about! How important this concept is! I must pray constantly asking God to make me worthy and then go forward in all these areas obediently. So many areas...the Christian walk demands every part of my being.

Father,

Thank You for making me worthy. If it were up to me, there would be no hope. Give me what I need to grow as You would want me to.

In Jesus name,

Amen