Whatever you do

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 3v17

There are a few verses that just seem to encapsulate the whole message in just a few words. Praise God for the many specifics He gives on Christian living. He loves us so much that He doesn’t just tell us to live for Him, but He tells us how to live.

Then there are times when He just says it, and if we could just grasp that it would make our lives so much simpler. The word of God doesn’t cover every thing. There are times when we don’t have a clear instruction on what to do. Some men have chosen to answer that by giving us a list of rules and a tick list of do’s and don’ts. If we are not careful we can learn to depend more on that list, than on really doing what is right with the right heart.

God’s standard deals with the heart right away. “Whatever you do or say, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, and give thanks to God.” What a simple test, if we could really apply it. Something will happen, probably soon, when we won’t know what to do. Is it right or is it wrong? Obviously, if it is flat out unbiblical it is sin and the answer is no. But what if there no answer? Then we apply the principles of God’s word, pray, seek the help of the Holy Spirit, and determine whether or not we can do it in Jesus’ name.

I think if we are honest, if we are saved and relying on Him we know at that stage whether or not we can do it in Jesus’ name. We know if we can give thanks for that activity.

If we can’t – well, we have our answer, don’t we?