Walking Worthy

In an era of rampant individual identity often driven by the presence of social media influencers calling for ever-increasing numbers of followers, the Apostle Paul calls for a different mindset:

For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. ¹

Paul sets the example of a life that serves rather than a life that is all about self, a life that serves in the image of Jesus rather than trying to establish a self-brand. His primary concern was living out his public life not as distinctive in himself but accurately demonstrating the values of the LORD. What he said was backed up by his lifestyle before the other believers so they would see Jesus in him. Then he uses that discipling metaphor:

For you know how, like a father with his children, 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. ²

Fathers—or anyone else leading or discipling others—are to ‘walk in a manner worthy of God’ for we are no longer serving the principles of our old nature but are now serving the LORD according to the Way of His Kingdom and all that gives Him the Glory. We are no longer our own masters doing whatever pleases us but serving the LORD Jesus so all the praise, honor and glory are His. We need to live with the mindset and heart that we are citizens of His Kingdom and not serving the ways of this world. Popularity is not His priority and if it is ours, we need to revisit the ‘laying down our lives for Him’ beginning of Life in Jesus.