When we are right with God, every day is holy, every act is sacred. We are to do everything we do to the glory of God.
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:16-17).
Worship is doing everything in the name of Jesus and giving God thanks for it. (See 1 Corinthians 10:31). What does it mean to do everything in the name of Jesus? Ask yourself these three questions.
Do my actions look like Christ?
If someone puts his name on something, he is endorsing it. Could Jesus say of what you are doing, “Yes; what you are doing is consistent with my character”? If you belong to Jesus Christ, You have no right to do anything that is not.
The Bible is not primarily a rule book, but a book of principles which are consistent with the person and work of Jesus Christ. You can find loopholes in laws, but not in the character of Christ.
Can you imagine Jesus watching that film? Would you go dressed that way if Jesus were your companion? Would Christ put His name on that business contract? Would He subscribe to that magazine?
Do my actions have Christ’s power?
A person’s name stands for his authority. Jesus said, “If you ask anything in My name, I will do it” (John 14:14). Paul wrote, “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:17; emphasis added). Then he gets personal.
Wives
“Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord” (Colossians 3:18). Submission is one equal voluntarily placing herself under the authority of another equal, so that God may be glorified.
Husbands
“Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them” (Colossians 3:19). The wife’s love is to be submissive; the husband’s love is to be sacrificial and serving. This is agape love. “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her” (Ephesians 5:25).
Children
“Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord” (Colossians 3:20). Young person, the measure of your obedience is in all things. The motive for your obedience is, to please the Lord.
Parents
“Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged” (Colossians 3:21). Little children need tender love. They want their dad to be strong. But when he is with them, he needs to be tender.
Employees
“Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.” (Colossians 3:22-24). Work heartily, with enthusiasm.
How will you do these things? How can you do anything as Jesus did it? Only in the power of His name.
Do my actions result in praise for Christ?
To do something in Jesus’ name means to do it for his honor. Is Jesus glorified by what you do?
If you are witnessing to people, they should see a radical difference in your life. Do everything in the name of Jesus, and give God thanks for it. You will be glorifying God, and therefore worshiping Him.
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