Whatever You Do

Doing "all in the name of the Lord Jesus" means bringing honor to our Lord Jesus Christ in every aspect and activity of our daily living. As Christ's followers, we represent Christ at all times--whatever we say and whatever we do. Every word and action must be done according to God's principles as though Jesus Himself were doing it. 

In essence, to live in the name of the Lord Jesus is to surrender all to Him/to His Lordship and to live as Jesus Christ's representatives (His ambassadors: 2 Cor. 5:20). Christ's Lordship of our lives changes not only our speech and conduct but also our attitudes and motives. Our attitudes become conscious reflections upon the will of Christ and our words & actions become words of praise and acts of thanksgiving to Christ. We desire to do it all for the glory of Christ. External rules, even when good, are not adequate for every situation; the "rule" (Lordship) of the indwelling Christ is the only sufficient guide. "So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh...if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law." (Galatians 5:16, 18)

"Eucharisteo" (the Greek word for giving thanks) is a word that at its root (eu = good + charis = grace) means to acknowledge how good grace is and describes a person who depends on God's grace every moment. Here in Colossians, Paul uses the present tense. We are to have a continual attitude of gratitude, which is to be our lifestyle and our response to circumstances which God allows in our lives. The only way to accomplish this is by relying upon the filling/empowering of the indwelling Holy Spirit. We are to be thankful to God always...to give thanks to God in all circumstances through Christ (whose sacrificial death tore the veil that separated us from God the Father, thus making it possible for us to render our prayers and praises). Remember that fear and anxiety cannot reign in a heart that is full of faith and gratitude. 

To ponder: What impression do people have of Christ when they talk or interact with us or when they read our posts/comments? Do we need to make any changes in our lives in order to honor Christ and represent Him accurately? Do we remember to give thanks to God in everything/in all circumstances, including in the midst of a crisis?

Prayer: Thank You, Abba Father, for Who You are and for all You have done! I am forever grateful for Your amazing saving grace and for Your inexhaustible sustaining grace! May everything I say and do be pleasing to You and be according to Your will. Please help me to be faithful in all things, little and great alike. May my words, attitudes, actions, and reaction/responses to any crisis reflect Christ in me, honor You, and point others to You. May my life be a continual praise song to You and for Your glory. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen.