Whatever You Do

Read: Colossians 3

Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17, NIV

IN WORD

“In the name.” It’s an extremely common phrase, both in Scripture and at the end of our prayers. But what exactly does it mean? You’ll encounter quite a few answers to that question, but most of them will include something like this: “In the name” of Jesus implies living, working, and praying as if we were Jesus—or at least His representative. Just as a diplomat becomes the voice of his or her country in a foreign land, qualified to sign documents and act as a proxy for the home government, every believer is given the right to become the voice, signatory, and proxy of the King. We may not realize that responsibility or exercise it well, but it’s there. We are to “become Jesus” in this world.

That’s why Jesus gave such extravagant promises to His followers, telling them that whatever they asked in His name or whatever they decided with the keys of His Kingdom would be established in heaven. We may footnote those promises with ample caveats about what they don’t mean, but Scripture doesn’t. It just lays them out there, even with the possibility of people abusing them. The only appropriate response is not to explain them away; it’s to be thoroughly sobered by the weight of them and make every effort by faith and action to live up to them.

IN DEED

That’s why Paul says “whatever you do.” This is a comprehensive calling. There are no segments in our lives that can be separated from living “in His name.” No secret places hidden from His eyes, no underground agenda, nothing but His purposes. Are you a Kingdom citizen? Then you are a representative of the King. Period.

Think, speak, and act like one. Upon hearing a Christian appeal to “live like royalty,” envision the most generous, good-hearted king or queen you can imagine, not those who have lavished all luxury on themselves. This is a noble calling for a noble creature. In Christ, you are living as Him.

ADDITIONAL READING: Ephesians 1:15-23

We are here to represent Christ—to present Him again, to re-present Him.

MALTBIE BABCOCK