Whatsoever Ye
Do!
Are we part-time or full-time Christians? Is Christianity something we put on and take off depending on the occasion? Some days we decide to wear it, some days we choose not to wear it? Are we enlisted soldiers in the Lord’s army, or are we just in the reserves? Are we active or inactive Christians? Are we available for duty at all times or just when we want to?
As Christians, how much of our lives do we devote to Jesus, and to pleasing Him. This evening we want to see that being a Christian takes everything you have, everything that you are, and “whatsoever ye do”. We want to consider three verses of Scripture this evening from the writings of the Apostle Paul.
1)
First, Colossians 3:17:
“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.”
First,
lets notice the clause “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed”.
Now, that big compound word “whatsoever”, is an all-inclusive word. It takes into account everything within the context of the sentence, without exception or exclusion.
What is Paul talking about in the context of this sentence? Paul is talking about all the things that we “do in word or deed”. This is the Holy Spirit’s way of saying that everything that we do in life, whether it be the things that we say, or the things that we think, or the things that we do; everything in the Christian’s life is to be done in the Name of the Lord Jesus.
Now, let’s talk about some areas of our lives where this applies:
Consider some of the places where we spend our time. What about at church, at home, at school, at work, or at play. Consider the things that we do while we are alone, or with our spouse, or with your boyfriend or girlfriend if you are single. What about the programs you watch on TV, or the things you read, view, or listen to on the internet? What about the kind of music you listen to? We could go on and on. What about the things we talk about, especially with our peers who are unsaved? What kind of language do we use? What about the way that we act and behave, and the way we treat other people.
All of these things and many, many more are comprehended in this verse.
Next,
Paul said that we are to do all things “in the Name of the Lord Jesus.”
What does it mean to do all things in the Name of the Lord Jesus? We want to notice just three possibilities. First, it means to do all things with His approval. Would Jesus approve of the things that we do? Would Jesus add His blessings to all the things that we do in life? Secondly, it means to do all things with Jesus in our hearts and minds, as though He were present with us. We can be sure that Jesus is present with us, and He sees and knows everything that we do! Thirdly, it means to do all things to fulfill His eternal purpose and plan, and to give Him glory in all things that we do. Everything that we do ought to be with His will and purpose in mind. As we will see momentarily, we ought also to do all things with His glory in mind.
The true acid test of doing “all in the Name of the Lord Jesus” is, can we give thanks to God for all things that we say and do in life. If all things that we do are good, and holy, and godly, then we certainly can thank God for them. If, on the other hand, the things that we do are sinful and ungodly then we cannot thank God for them. God is not the Author of sin, nor will He take the blame for our sins. These ungodly things are our own doing, and we must bear the blame for them.
2)
Secondly, Colossians 3:23:
“And whatsoever ye do,
do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;”
In this verse Paul is talking to servants in particular, but as believers and servants of the Lord, we can apply this verse to our own selves.
What does it mean to do things heartily? First, it means to do everything from the heart and soul. We are not to do things grudgingly, or with murmuring and complaining, but from a heart of love and affection for our Lord and Master Jesus Christ. It also means to do all things energetically with enthusiasm and excitement, because we are doing them for the Lord Jesus. We should have a positive attitude toward everything we are called upon to do in life. We should rejoice in all things, seeing that in all things we are serving our Lord.
Next,
Paul said “as unto the Lord, and not unto men.”
If we believe that everything we do, we do for the Lord and not so much for men, it would make those difficult and mundane tasks of life a lot easier to do! Try it, it really helps.
3)
Thirdly and finally, 1 Corinthians 10:31:
“Whether therefore ye eat, or
drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
Here again in this verse, Paul includes everything in our lives, even eating or drinking!
We
want to call attention to the last part of this verse: “…do all to the glory
of God.”
This is the supreme duty in the life of every believer, to do “all to the glory of God.” So then, what does Paul mean to do “all to the glory of God”? Let’s notice some possibilities.
Everything that we do should testify and speak well of our God and His Son Jesus Christ. Nothing we do should ever bring a reproach upon His name, His person, or His works. Everything in our lives ought to exult, magnify, and praise the Name of the Lord, and nothing in our lives should ever debase, degrade, or defame His Name.
The word “glory” means beauty and brightness. Everything that we do ought to radiate with the glory of our God. Everything that we do ought to shine forth the beauty of our God working in us. The world should be able to see Jesus in us. They should see the power of a changed life, that shines brightly with the beauty of holiness and godliness. They should see the truth of God and the love of God expressed in all things that we say and do. They should hear from our mouths the blessed Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. And ultimately our lives should redound to His glory, in that others might glorify God as a result of our influence and testimony in their lives.
Conclusion:
In closing, may God help each of us in whatsoever we do, to do all things in the Name of the Lord Jesus, and to do all things heartily as unto the Lord, and to do all to the glory of God?
This is the key to a happy and successful Christian life. Not only that, but this is also the key to bringing others into the faith, by showing forth the power and glory of God in our lives. This is what will attract needy sinners to Jesus, when they see Jesus living and working in and through us, and when they hear the Gospel from us.