In the book of Colossians 3:17 the following is recorded: And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. In this verse, Paul was reminding the Colossian brethren of whom to give credit for being free to do what they were doing in life. In addition, the words in “the name of” convey a sense of authority to live with God’s blessing. As such, the people had embarked on a new life in Christ as Paul had written to the Corinthians: Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. II Corinthians 5:17.

A Christian lives a new life and has a new reason for doing good deeds, which are always for the benefit of others. The deeds are not done to make the one doing the deeds look good or receive credit for the doing, but rather the deeds are done to show forth that Christ is now their life and the deeds are done to show faith in his way of life.

 As much as anything, the believers have a changed attitude about themselves, their reason for being, and their purpose in life.  In Philippians that new attitude is seen in verse 27: Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; … The new direction and purpose in life are for the glory of God through Jesus Christ shown by standing firm in the faith of the gospel, which is the sum of every day living.

Too often, the new life in Christ is confined to the church house on Sunday morning and Wednesday evening, unless it is advantageous to pretend to live the new life. Christ, in speaking to the Jews, called those that lived that way hypocrites, which means to play a part or act as if on a stage. He said, Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. Matthew 7:5. Many times those who are pretending to be what they aren’t, are the ones who squawk the loudest about the conduct of  their fellow church members in an attempt to point the finger away from their own deeds.  

There is a gospel song that is titled, Take the Name of Jesus with You, which is what every Christian must do daily as he or she walks in the light of Christ. Certainly, by so doing then the name of Christ will go along for all to see. Each individual Christian must refuse to fall to the temptation to sin as did Moses when he refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, and enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. The writer recorded the following in Hebrews 11:24-27: By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; 25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. 27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.  

How many times have Christians neglected to do things in the name of Christ because they are afraid of ridicule or the loss of social standing? How many actually prefer the applause of the unwashed heathen to following the blessings that Christ brings to a consecrated life? Sadly, the answer is in the millions down through the years. Paul in his time continually reminded the brethren of their need to remain faithful and his words are just as true today as they were 2000 years ago.

© 09-30-2002 DEC

Revised 08-08-2008

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