Word and Deed

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 (ESV)

What exactly does Paul mean when he tells us to “do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus?” Is he simply telling us to tack on a quick “in Jesus name” to the end of all that we do? Or is he calling us to something exponentially more intimate and personal? I confess that I am far from even being adequate in obedience to this call. Rarely do I think about doing something, anything, in the name of Jesus. Even when the occasion arises, I don’t know that I fully comprehend what it means to do something in the name of Jesus. I know it is more than just a casual acknowledgment. It is a call to live a life of humble thanksgiving before my Savior.

I am to do everything in the name of Jesus. Every word. Every deed. No area of my life is to be hidden away or sheltered from this command. My every breath is to be a sacrifice of thanksgiving to my Lord. More often than not my obedience to this call is wrapped up in the masks that I wear. I wear one when I am at church. I wear one when I am around believers. I wear one when I am around friends and family. I wear one at work. Yes, I even wear one when I am alone. This last one may be the most deceptive of them all. The commonality of each is that each mask is a way to not do something in the name of Christ.

Sure, the mask may look great and I will even get compliments and encouragement from people about my godly character while I am wearing it. In actuality, I am not doing my words and deeds in the name of Christ. I am doing words and deeds for the applause of the world and the people around me, maybe even myself. I wear these masks of “obedience” to play the role of faithfulness. All the while my heart is numb and my will is apathetic.

Paul wants something deeper and more rich from me. He wants me to have the love of Christ dwelling deep within me. He wants my intimate relationship with Jesus to be so intense, that I can’t help but do all things in the name of Christ. The call is to be so full of Christ that Christ is the only thing that comes out of me.

My every word is to be spoken to my risen Savior. My every deed is to be done side by side with my sovereign Lord. It’s not that I am dedicating these things. Rather, I am to be aware that when I speak and act I am speaking and acting to Jesus at every moment. How? The Spirit of Christ dwells within me and in every sense of the meaning, Christ is alive in me. So my every word and deed is done in conjunction with him.

So as I speak and act, I give thanks to my Father above through Jesus. I give thanks for each precious moment that my Father has given me to live in union with Christ. Every step along this path laid before me is a momentous thing. So, in the name of Christ and through Him alone will I speak and act. Every moment will be in His name and through His power as I bring the life-giving gospel of hope to those around me. All for the glory of God giving thanks to my heavenly Father.