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
God has built into every human being a desire for adventure. Over millennia, people have wanted to know what lies beyond the horizon. Going into space is the “over the horizon” frontier that lures many. Rocket entrepreneur Elon Musk wants to go to Mars, not only to explore it but to build settlements there as “insurance policies” against what he sees as potential catastrophic events on Earth. According to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory scientists, “If you want to send a spacecraft all the way to Mars, first you’ll need a fast rocket to escape the pull of Earth’s gravity. The heavier your spacecraft, the more powerful your rocket needs to be to lift off.” Then, once on your way, actually arriving at the Red Planet will take seven or eight months.
Escaping the boundaries of Earth in a rocket ship will be difficult. But, according to Pastor Steve Brandon, “There is nothing in our lives that escape the boundaries set forth in Colossians 3:17. You simply cannot get outside, ‘whatever you do in word or deed.’” The phrase “whatever you do” offers no exceptions. Scottish theologian John Eadie wrote, “The apostle’s idea is, that while some things are done formally in the name of the Lord Jesus, everything should be done really in it.” And you need to do it enthusiastically.
Teacher, author, and Bible scholar Robert Morgan said, “We should do everything as though Jesus Himself were doing it. Our every word should be as though Jesus were speaking it.” Furthermore, he says, “We’re to do it with thanksgiving. In Christian living, the small things we do are often bigger than the large things we accomplish, the Lord delights in small things. But whether small or large, let’s do it all in the name of Christ for the glory of God. That’s our calling.” Accomplishing this is consistent with what Paul says earlier in the third chapter of Colossians, “Set your minds on things that are above” (verse 2).
In his poem “High Flight,” John Gillespie Magee used the phrase “escape the bounds of earth and touch the face of God.” You may never go to Mars, but in your worship and thanksgiving, it is as though you have touched the Father who “makes his face to shine upon us” when He is praised (Psalm 67:1-3). Be quick to be thankful in all things, in Jesus’ Name.
Today’s Verse: Colossians 3:17
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.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Colossians 3:1-2, 12-17
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 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.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
