Whatsoever You Do - Colossians 3:17

Paul the apostle encouraged the Colossian church members to “put on charity”, “Let the peace of God rule” and “let the word of Christ dwell in” them. They were to teach and admonish one another through the singing of “psalms, hymns and spiritual songs” whereby they would be unified and bound together. They were also to be “thankful” in their lives, and in verse seventeen of chapter three of his letter to them, Paul give them more instruction concerning everything they do where we read:

And whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

The verse begins, “And whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus” Once again Paul employs the word “And” which shows a continuum of thought to begin this verse. As we have shared before, these words were not originally in chapter and verse form, so his continued thought would have been like a letter is usually written and read. He goes on to add, “whatsoever you do” or “any action or activity which is done” whether “in word” which refers to the way they spoke or talked “or deed” or “act, thing done, business, undertaking or enterprise”, they were to “do all” which means “every action, word or deed” “in the name of the Lord Jesus”. The phrase “in the name” does not simply mean by saying the name or referring to the name of Lord Jesus, but it means with the same “character, will and nature” of Him. As a Christian, the Colossians took on the “name of the Lord Jesus”, and every “word or deed” was to reflect His name.

The verse goes on to say, “giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” When the church members would do and say “whatsoever” in Jesus' name, they were encouraged to be “giving thanks” or “being grateful and appreciating” “to God and the Father by him” which means to the Heavenly Father above for Jesus Christ. In other words, the Colossians would show their appreciation for “God and the Father” for the “Lord Jesus” by saying and doing everything in Jesus' name and within His character.

There is a lot of difference between saying the name of Jesus and actually living according to His name. If our speech and functions within life are constantly in awareness of Jesus, then we are “giving thanks to God and the Father by him”. However, if our words, actions, activities and attitudes are not a reflection of His name, then we disregard appreciation for Him. By living lives with guarded speech and tended activities that are bent toward the reflection of Jesus Christ, we exemplify the greatest appreciation for Jesus we may ever give. As we meditate upon Paul's words, let the Holy Spirit of God show us areas in our speech and deeds which will give “God and the Father” gratitude for the great things His son Jesus has done for us.

Next time Paul begins to tell the Colossians about marriage, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.