DEVOTION – DAY 253

Colossians 3:17 “Do Everything In Jesus’ Name”

 

Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

 

This verse summarizes Paul teachings in Col.3:1-17 where he set out 11 negative behaviors to avoid like sexual immorality, greed, slander, etc and he also set out 11 positive behaviors to follow like compassion, kindness and humility etc. But Paul ends this section with a summary in v17 to tell us that our relationship with Jesus Christ is not a case of keeping to a set of rules. Our relationship with Jesus Christ involves submitting to Him everything we do, think and say. What does this mean?

 

When we set out to do something, whether it is a simple task like preparing a meal, or responding to emails or preparing a piece of work for the Lord, we should ask ourselves whether this work we are doing can be carried out in the name of Jesus and for His glory. Does what we say and do honor Jesus? Is what we are and what we think worthy of Jesus? Is our behavior pleasing to Jesus or if Jesus returned, will we be ashamed to face Him? That means that every day, in everything that we do, we must be conscious that we are doing it to honor Jesus and that we will do it to the best of our ability. Whether it is just washing the dishes, doing the ironing, weeding the garden or welcoming someone to church, we will do it cheerfully and willingly because we are doing it for our Lord. Imagine, if every Christian were to do that, what a significant influence they would make in this world to give God the glory. The world will certainly sit up and notice that indeed, Christians are different and it is all because of the Lord Jesus Christ!

 

There was a time I volunteered to serve in kitchen duty at a Christian retreat. Before we started work in the kitchen, we prayed and reminded ourselves that whatever we did, we did it all in the name of the Lord Jesus and to give Him glory. So, from the time we prepared the salads, to peeling the potatoes, we did it to the best of our abilities as if we were preparing it to serve a King. When we served the food, we dressed in shirt and tie and served the food like professional waiting staff, and the people we served commented we treated them like royalty. It gave them a foretaste of what it would be like one day when we all get to Heaven! That is doing something well in the name of the Lord and giving Him the glory.

 

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, you deserve our highest praise. Please help us to always do well, whether in word or deed, everything in the name of the Lord Jesus and to give you glory and thanks. We pray this in the holy name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

Questions

  1. Why is it important that we are to do everything in word and deed in the name of the Lord Jesus, and to give Him thanks? Discuss.
  2. What are some of the things you do each day that you could put this verse into practice? Share.
  3. How might your daily actions and words impact others for Jesus if you do them in the name of Jesus?