Everyday

“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 3:17

The New Testament book of Colossians was written by the Apostle Paul to the church in Colossae.  Although a mere market town in Asia Minor on the road from Ephesus to the Euphrates River, Colossae was important as it was one of the churches started by missionaries from Ephesus.  From his first imprisonment in Rome, Paul wrote to refute the heresies being taught at the church.  The main theme of the book is that the belief in Jesus Christ is enough.

In Chapter 3 of Colossians, Paul through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit describes how we should live in the world as Christians, believers in Christ.  Paul clearly outlines what should direct our lives in Colossians 3:2, “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.”  We must focus on Christ and remove our secular nature such as fornication (sexual immorality), uncleanness, passion (lust), evil desire, covetousness (greed), anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy (slander), filthy language, and lying.  How would any one know that we are slaves to Christ if we continue to do those things? 

So as the new self, Paul writes how we can model our behavior and not be a stumbling block to unbelievers.   Through the Spirit, Paul writes “put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering,” forgive one another, and “above all these things put on love.”  Jesus stated it perfectly as He summed up the Ten Commandments in Matthew 22:37-40. 

Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ ³⁸ This is the first and great commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ⁴⁰ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

To help the people of Colossae, Paul tags a “vision statement” or a way to keep you on that narrow path.  In verse 17, “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.”  Think of it this way; never keep your eyes off the main thing.  And what is the main thing?  The main thing is Jesus. 

When you are about to do something, say something, or be somewhere, ask yourself some questions.  Will God be glorified?  Would the secular world see Christ?  Would I be a stumbling block to a new believer?

 
As you can see by the date of this post, I haven’t written in awhile.  I’ve struggled on how to maintain a BLOG, having never done one before.  My last post, I talked about “burdens” and how I was burdened to use imaginative fiction to reach the lost, specifically lost children.  I’ve been unsuccessful finding a publisher for the finished book, “Riddle of Cornerstone.”  But I think that was on purpose.  God teaches us everyday and in every little thing.  Even if these writings don’t make it to the masses, I’ve learned from them and I’ve drawn closer to Jesus.  So, in always keeping the main thing the main thing, I might find disappointment, but I must always remember it’s for God’s Glory not my own.  Whatever I do in word or deed, I do for Jesus, giving thanks to God and giving Him all the glory.