Welcome Back! I hope you had a “thankful” week! Let’s review a bit in Colossians since we had a detour last week: We have been talking about taking off our “old clothes” of anger, wrath, malice, etc., and putting on our “new clothes” of a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and love while letting the peace of Christ and the word of Christ rule and dwell within us richly. Now, Paul makes a summary statement to complete this thought in Colossians 3:17: “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”
Notice it says “whatever you do in word or deed” – that just covers everything, doesn’t it? Whether you are speaking (word), Paul says to “do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.” Whatever you are doing (deed), Paul says to “do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.” So, how are you doing in respect to word and deed? Let’s make it a very practical question. This devotion comes out on Monday. So, how did you do on Saturday and Sunday when it comes to your words and deeds? Now, put your answer, whatever it is (positive or negative), and place it in the context of the chapter 3 of the Book of Colossians. Who or what have you been seeking? Which “clothes” have you been wearing?
I want to challenge you every day this week to read Colossians 3:17 in the morning and pray that God will help you speak and do all things in the name of the Lord Jesus – for His sake and for His glory! Apart from Him working in us and through us, this is impossible. Hence, it is vital for us to have a moment by moment relationship with Him. We must abide in Him! As we abide in Him, people will see Him in us.
And you know what? If we do this, there is also a reward waiting for us. Look at Colossians 3:23-24: “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.”
Context is so key in interpreting Scripture correctly. When you look at verse 17 of chapter 3, it can be overwhelming…whatever I do and whatever I say, I am to do it all in the name of the Lord?! How is that possible? Christ in you the hope of glory! Once again, you have everything you need to live a godly lifestyle – you have the Spirit of Christ inside of you. Concentrate on things above and let the Spirit of Christ inside of you control you. Remember, your dead to your old ways. How thankful I am that His power, His knowledge, His Wisdom, His (you fill in the blank), is at our disposal through the Spirit of Christ inside of us! May He be glorified in us today! Blessings…