Walking worthy as a Christian means living a life that is pleasing and honoring to God. It means aligning our thoughts, words, and actions with God’s will and ways as revealed in the Bible. Here is an in-depth look at what the Bible teaches about walking worthy:
1. Walk in love
One key aspect of walking worthy is demonstrating Christ-like love. The Bible calls us to “walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us” (Ephesians 5:2). This involves laying down our own interests and agendas to serve others, forgiving others as God has forgiven us, and showing compassion and kindness even to enemies. Walking in love reflects God’s nature and brings glory to Him.
Love should be the defining mark of Christians, spurring us to look out for the needs and interests of others ahead of our own (Philippians 2:3-4). It moves us to reach out to those who are lost, suffering, or in need (Matthew 25:34-40). Walking in God’s love demonstrates His transformative work in our lives.
2. Walk in purity and wisdom
In addition to love, walking worthy means pursuing moral purity and godly wisdom in our lives. We are called to “no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds” (Ephesians 4:17). Instead, we must “walk as children of light…finding out what is pleasing to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:8,10).
This means rejecting immorality, greed, dishonesty, and other sins and instead walking wisely in the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 1:7). It involves renewing our minds according to Biblical truth (Romans 12:2) and bearing the fruit of righteousness in our lives (Philippians 1:9-11). Pleasing God should be our aim in all things.
3. Walk in humility
Walking worthy also requires cultivating Christ-like humility. The Bible tells us to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility” (Ephesians 4:1-2). Though we have been given immense value and dignity as God’s children, we are to esteem others above ourselves and look to their interests first (Philippians 2:3-4).
Pride, arrogance, and self-promotion have no place in the Christian life. We are to walk humbly, acknowledging our dependence on God’s grace and seeking to build others up rather than our own egos. This demonstrates that God is at work within us.
4. Walk in good works
Our lives should also demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit through good works. We are saved by grace to walk in the good works God has prepared for us (Ephesians 2:8-10). Jesus calls us to let our light shine through good works so that God is glorified (Matthew 5:16).
This includes serving, giving generously, and using our gifts to build up the church and reach the lost. It can involve volunteering, mentoring others, creating resources, or meeting practical needs. Walking in good works is a natural outflow of God’s love in our hearts.
5. Walk in thankfulness
Cultivating a heart of gratitude is another important part of walking worthy. The Bible tells us to walk in thankfulness: “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, abounding in it with thanksgiving” (Colossians 2:6-7).
Thankfulness recognizes all we have comes from God’s grace. It keeps us from grumbling and complaining over what we lack. Instead, it moves us to rejoice and praise God for His abundant blessings. Gratitude focuses our hearts on God rather than earthly circumstances.
6. Walk in obedience
At the core, walking worthy means obeying God’s commands and walking in His ways. We are called to walk in obedience to God’s Word (Psalm 119:1-3). This involves knowing God’s commands and making them our guide for living. We must allow the Bible, not culture or personal preferences, to shape our thoughts, speech, and conduct.
Obedience demonstrates that God is more important than anything else in our lives. It shows reverence for God as our Master and King. While we stumble, our aim should always be a life of wholehearted obedience out of love for Christ.
7. Walk in unity with other believers
Walking worthy also has a corporate dimension. We are to walk in “a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called…eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:1, 3). God calls us together as one body – the church. We are to honor that calling by preserving unity.
This means accepting, forgiving, and bearing with one another in love (Ephesians 4:2). It involves pursuing reconciliation when needed. Humility, patience, and grace enable us to walk in peace with fellow Christians, even amidst disagreement.
8. Walk in faith and courage
Finally, walking worthy means moving forward in faith and courage through every circumstance. Paul mentions “your work of faith” and “perseverance of hope” (1 Thessalonians 1:3). Following Christ requires courageous, unwavering faith in God’s promises and purposes.
There will be trials and suffering that threaten to shake our faith. But we are called to walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). With the Holy Spirit’s help, we can walk confidently in God’s power and loving care no matter what we face.
Walking Worthy Reflects God’s Transforming Grace
In summary, walking worthy means patterning our lives after Christ-like love, purity, humility, thankfulness, and obedience. It involves good works, unity with other Christians, and persevering faith in God’s care. When we walk worthy, we show that God’s grace is genuinely transforming us from within.
Our worthy walk brings glory to God and serves as a witness to the world. However, we can only live out these worthy traits through the inner working of the Holy Spirit. In our own strength we will stumble and fail. So walking worthy begins with trusting in Christ and asking the Spirit to empower us each day to live for Him.
Bible Verses on Walking Worthy
Here are some key Bible verses that speak to what it means to walk worthy as a Christian:
– Ephesians 4:1 – “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called.”
– Colossians 1:10 – “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.”
– 1 Thessalonians 2:12 – “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.”
– Philippians 1:27 – “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ.”
– Romans 12:1-2 – “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
– Ephesians 5:1-2 – “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
– Ephesians 5:15-17 – “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”
These and many other verses help illuminate what it looks like to walk in a manner worthy of our calling as followers of Jesus Christ. When we walk worthy, we bring glory to God and shine the light of Christ in a dark world.