Whatsoever as unto the Lord Colossians 3:23

As Paul the apostle desired unity within the church located in Colosse, he wrote to the wives, husbands, children and fathers concerning their behavior towards one another. He also share with the “servants” and the manner in which they should serve their masters. In chapter three and verse twenty-three of his letter to the church members, Paul gave instruction concerning where their focus should be when they did their works. We read:

And whatsoever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.

The verse begins, “And whatsoever you do, do it heartily,” Paul continued his thought concerning the servants with the word “And” which we know means a continuum of instruction, and he broadened his group of attention to include every person within the church as he told them, “whatsoever” or “each, every, any, all, the whole and all things whether collectively or individually” “you do”, “do it heartily” which means “with all your soul, breath, seat of feelings, desires, affections and aversions”. We might say, “Do it with all your heart”.

The verse goes on to say, “as to the Lord, and not unto men.” Notice to whom the things done are to be directed, “as to the Lord” which means “to the Creator, God, the One who owns everything, and is over all”. The work or functions of the Colossian church members were to be done as unto the Lord, “and not unto men” which means “before and for only the sake of men”. In other words, the works that were done, and the obedience which was to be followed, was to be done directly towards the Lord and not towards human beings.

If we seek a more challenging verse in this letter to the church members in Colosse, there are not many to compare. When we realize that every act, every function and every activity should be as unto the Lord rather than men, we will have reached a level of closeness with the Lord that is ultimate. It is imperative as we meditate upon this verse to realize that we work and do things unto the Lord, and it is for Him we obey. Whether the function is related to a wife to her husband, a husband to his wife, a child to his parents, a servant to his master or any other relationship which requires something to be done toward another person, everything should be done as unto the Lord. It is almost like the person to whom the duty is performed is there to receive it, but the Lord is on the other side of them and the person becomes transparent. We work as unto the Lord, and when we realize this truth, we will have less regard to the lack of man's gratefulness and appreciation whenever we do things for them. It is the Lord who is our focus, and He will always be blessed by our “hearty” deeds.

Next time Paul tells the Colossians how the Lord will reward them when they do as unto Him, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

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