"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."
Colossians 3:17
The Lord is continuing to meet me as I read through Colossians in my quiet times (or..."not so quiet" times). My sweet husband gave me "The Hope of Glory: 100 Daily Meditations on Colossians" by Sam Storms and today was my first opportunity to open it up. Wow! I was blessed!
I read Colossians 3:17 and began to reflect on it, wondering just what Paul meant by doing everything in the name of the Lord Jesus. Here is what Storms had to say about that:
"'In the name of the Lord Jesus' thus means 'for the sake of the Lord Jesus' or 'in open and explicit acknowledgment that he alone is Lord and Sovereign over all' or 'to the glory of the Lord Jesus' or 'in humble admission that he is the source of all good things' or 'because of who Jesus is and all that he has accomplished in his life, death, and resurrection."
Very clarifying. What would my day look like if I really sought to do everything "for the sake of the Lord Jesus" or "because of who Jesus is and all that He has accomplished?" Radically different, to say the least. What if I considered, before I spoke, whether or not my words would be a demonstration that He alone is Lord? What if I considered, before I acted, whether or not my actions would clearly show that Jesus is the source of all good things?
What I was struck by here is that Paul isn't saying, "If you feel like it, in certain situations, try to do things for the sake of Jesus and what He's done on the cross for you." Nope. He said, "And whatever (meaning everything) you do, do everything (meaning...um...everything) in the name of the Lord Jesus." Do the laundry, do the dishes, do the instruction and correction of your children, do the picking up of toys, do the sticking the pacifier back in for the fifth time in a half hour, do the submitting to your husband, do the cooking of dinner, do absolutely everything for the sake of the Lord Jesus. Not only that, but do it giving thanks??!!
I can quickly compartmentalize my life instead of seeing everything as sacred-as an opportunity to worship and reflect the glory of the Gospel. I want even those seemingly "mundane" moments to be done for His sake. Can you imagine how different the day would look if that were the case?
Colossians 3:17
The Lord is continuing to meet me as I read through Colossians in my quiet times (or..."not so quiet" times). My sweet husband gave me "The Hope of Glory: 100 Daily Meditations on Colossians" by Sam Storms and today was my first opportunity to open it up. Wow! I was blessed!
I read Colossians 3:17 and began to reflect on it, wondering just what Paul meant by doing everything in the name of the Lord Jesus. Here is what Storms had to say about that:
"'In the name of the Lord Jesus' thus means 'for the sake of the Lord Jesus' or 'in open and explicit acknowledgment that he alone is Lord and Sovereign over all' or 'to the glory of the Lord Jesus' or 'in humble admission that he is the source of all good things' or 'because of who Jesus is and all that he has accomplished in his life, death, and resurrection."
Very clarifying. What would my day look like if I really sought to do everything "for the sake of the Lord Jesus" or "because of who Jesus is and all that He has accomplished?" Radically different, to say the least. What if I considered, before I spoke, whether or not my words would be a demonstration that He alone is Lord? What if I considered, before I acted, whether or not my actions would clearly show that Jesus is the source of all good things?
What I was struck by here is that Paul isn't saying, "If you feel like it, in certain situations, try to do things for the sake of Jesus and what He's done on the cross for you." Nope. He said, "And whatever (meaning everything) you do, do everything (meaning...um...everything) in the name of the Lord Jesus." Do the laundry, do the dishes, do the instruction and correction of your children, do the picking up of toys, do the sticking the pacifier back in for the fifth time in a half hour, do the submitting to your husband, do the cooking of dinner, do absolutely everything for the sake of the Lord Jesus. Not only that, but do it giving thanks??!!
I can quickly compartmentalize my life instead of seeing everything as sacred-as an opportunity to worship and reflect the glory of the Gospel. I want even those seemingly "mundane" moments to be done for His sake. Can you imagine how different the day would look if that were the case?
"everything (meaning - um - everything)" - I love it!
ReplyDeleteI am starting to read through Colossians, too! I am excited! Did you know that Paul had never even been to Colosse, but had only ministered to it's founder, Epaphras, in Ephesus, which resulted in his salvation which led him to go home and start a church? I read that Epaphras was so concerned about the heresies going on in it that he travelled about 1000 miles by land and sea to get counsel from Paul, who was then in prison in Rome? That amazed me. He held the Church of Jesus Christ in such high regard and importance!
ReplyDeleteThank you for relaying your reflections. It was a great help to me and will help me throughout this day of 'mundane'ness. Love ya