Being “in Christ” makes us united with Him in every way. We are heirs, brothers and children with Him. We are perfect in our Father’s eyes. But are we grown up –mature– in every way? Of course not! We all make mistakes every day when interacting with others in the world –and even with other Christians. Because God redeemed us and made us blameless and has forgiven us forever, we should want even more to be what God intended us to be. There is a passage in Hebrews which talks about people who ought to have grown up.
We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. (Hebrews 5:11-14)
There are two things that God desires for each of us to do: First, accept his free gift of salvation; then, become a grown-up, mature Christian. As the passage in Hebrews 5 above states, He doesn’t want us to remain infants all of our lives.
Since God was so gracious to give us such a great gift, complete with a matching new identity, let’s make every effort to live a life that is worthy. The term “worthy” means worth something; in this case it means something of value to God!
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:1-3)
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel (Philippians 1:27)
For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory. (1 Thessalonians 2:11-12)
Now, live like the new creation you are! Rather than serving yourself in what you do, consider others to be more important than you are. And since “the only thing that matters is faith expressing itself through love” (Galatians 5:6), then doesn’t it make sense to honor the One who made you?
And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. (Colossians 1:10-12)
He doesn’t require or demand you to live a valuable life. A valuable life is what you live in response to what He has already done for you.