Keeping in Step with Jesus – Then Bearing Fruit — Keep Walking with Jesus

Keeping in Step and Bearing Fruit

Pastor Calvin Cook

September 3, 2026 — Day 39 of 40

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.” — Colossians 1:9–10

As we come near the end of these forty days of thinking about what it means to walk with Jesus, I keep coming back to a simple question:

How do we keep walking with Jesus after these forty days are over?

It is one thing to begin the journey. It is another thing to keep walking.

Last night I paused, and at an invitation that I would call Holy Spirit-inspired, I felt the urging to attend a time of prayer that my brother in Christ, Ted, had felt led to have at his church. My schedule was clear, and I really had no excuses, so I stepped in with a few others simply to be present with one another and, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, with Jesus.

With no real agenda, we prayed, we sang, we listened—and we were changed.

Ted shared a reading from Colossians 1 that continued to circulate in my heart and soul through the night. It brings me to this place this morning to really consider what walking with Jesus means.

Paul’s prayer in Colossians 1 gives us a picture of what that walk looks like. He prays that believers would know God’s will, live lives worthy of the Lord, bear fruit, grow in their knowledge of God, and be strengthened by His power.

Those words remind me that walking with Jesus is not standing still. There are steps we must continue to take.

First, we must listen for God’s direction. I think I have heard that a few times throughout these forty-plus days!

Paul prayed that they would be filled with the knowledge of God’s will. We cannot follow Jesus while constantly insisting that the walk be according to our terms. Walking with Jesus requires listening. It requires prayer, Scripture, and allowing the Holy Spirit to direct our steps.

Second, we must take the next step of obedience.

Knowing what God wants is not enough. Eventually, we have to move. There are times when I would like God to show me the entire road ahead. Most often, however, God seems to show me enough for the next step. Faith means taking that step and trusting Him with what comes afterward.

Third, we must stay close enough to Jesus to grow.

Paul speaks about “growing in the knowledge of God.” I don’t think he is simply talking about knowing more information about God. We can know a lot about someone without really knowing them. Walking with Jesus means developing a deeper relationship with Him.

And then comes something important:

We should be bearing fruit.

If I have been walking with Jesus, there ought to eventually be evidence of that walk.

More love. More grace. More patience. More compassion. More willingness to forgive. More concern for those who are hurting. More desire to serve. More courage to share Jesus with someone else.

Fruit does not appear because we try harder to look religious. Fruit grows because we remain connected to Jesus.

There will also be days when the walk becomes difficult. That is why Paul prays that God’s people would be “strengthened with all power according to his glorious might” (Colossians 1:11).

We don’t walk in our strength alone.

Maybe that is one of the greatest lessons of these forty days. Walking with Jesus is not about having everything figured out. It is about staying close enough to hear His voice, trusting Him enough to follow His direction, and being willing to take the next step.

So today I am asking myself:

Am I still moving with Jesus, or have I become comfortable standing where I am?

Listen. Follow. Stay close. Grow. Bear fruit.

And when the road gets difficult, depend upon His strength.

And if you have grown tired and found it easier to rest along the way, maybe it is time to get up and walk with Jesus again.

The call—“Follow me”—is still there. Now the rest is up to you.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, keep me close to You. Help me hear Your voice and recognize the direction of Your Spirit. Give me courage to take the next step when You lead me. Continue to change my heart so that my life bears fruit that points others toward You. When I become tired, strengthen me. When I become distracted, draw me back. And wherever You lead, help me remain faithful enough to keep walking with You. Amen.