A note from our Pastor’s Desk:

“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.”

Colossians 3:17

Good Morning Dearly Beloved,

In Zen Buddhism, there is a saying, “before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood, carry water.” The meaning of the mantra is that the tasks of daily life continue despite your level of understanding. The tasks of life do not change; rather, the person and the way they perform those tasks change. The Apostle Paul teaches a similar lesson in our study verse this week—the lesson centers on breaking down the myth of the sacred vs the secular. The lesson reminds the disciple to be thankful to God even in the most mundane moments.

The Apostle begins by saying, “and whatsoever you do in word or deed,” and this statement has a radical level of inclusivity. Immediately, the text’s language challenges the idea that spirituality and following Christ are limited to Sunday mornings or particular activities like reading the bible. Rather, whether it is a professional email, a conversation with a friend, or a mundane household chore, nothing is too small to be influenced by Jesus. In common tasks, it is not the activity itself that reflects Christ, but the disciple’s attitude while doing them. 

What does it mean to act “in the name of the Lord Jesus?” The phrase carries a meaning of being an ambassador. The disciple in each action represents Jesus Christ and the principles of his teaching. In all things, the believer is a representative of the kingdom of Jesus Christ. Striving to do all in the name of Jesus does not mean any one of us is going to be perfect in our actions. We are still sinners. It also does not mean being religious about everything. Rather, this statement means we should filter our worldview, our beliefs, and our actions through what Jesus taught and lived. Ultimately, the starting place is to weigh all we do against the standard of loving God and loving our neighbor.

The final phrase of our study verse focuses on gratitude. The Apostle does not mean for us to perform the actions in this verse out of obligation. The motivation for doing all in the name of Jesus should be our gratitude for the accomplished work of salvation. On the flip side, we should also feel grateful for anything, even the most mundane task, done in the name of Jesus. Our understanding of the truths of Jesus Christ does not change the day-to-day tasks we perform; rather, this knowledge changes our hearts and mindsets about how we do them.

By integrating this Christ-centered filter into every word and deed, we transform the mundane into an act of worship that honors our King. Let us therefore live as faithful ambassadors, constant in our gratitude.

Our Prayers are with you daily,

Brother Jeremiah