We now come to 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."
For the Christian, there is no such thing as secular or sacred activities. All of life is to be lived in union with Jesus Christ and as His ambassadors (2Corinthians 5:20).
Notice in our verse the comprehensiveness of all that you do or say. Everything should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus. This means under the authority and approval of Christ- being mindful of what would please or disappoint Him. The idea is of being in tune with Christ! In your daily activities are you thinking of what would please Christ? What would honor Him?
Now, with all of this said, notice the addition of giving thanks to God... Giving thanks is in the present tense meaning that this is to be continuously done, not occasionally. We are to be thankful for all of God's mercies to us, for delivering us from the realm of darkness, for adopting us as His sons and daughters, etc. These things should motivate all of our actions, attitudes, and words.
An attitude of thanksgiving causes us to keep a conscious reliance on Christ which should lead to right actions and words. We need to cultivate a life where we are always mindful of Christ! If you notice in our verse, this giving thanks to God is by/through him- through an intimate relationship with Jesus.
My friends, let gratitude to God drive your lives and mark your testimony. This world needs to see true gratitude- needs to see why life in Christ is a superior life! F.F. Bruce wrote "In connection with any and every word and deed the believer should ask himself, 'Am I able to thank God the Father for having given me the opportunity to say or do this?'"
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