And whatever you do, whether in word or in deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17
I suppose when my kids get older, the word “whatever” will become a dreaded word – one laced with hormones and a heavy dose of teen aged attitude. But for now, the word challenges me.
This verse is the reason.
Oh – go ahead. Read it again but this time in the Amplified version.
And whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus and in [dependence upon] His Person, giving praise to God the Father through Him.
See what I mean. Whatever you do … that kind of encompasses, well, everything.
And since we’re girls who take God at His Word – since we have decided not just to read the Word but to actually put it into practice – since we are doers and not just hearers … then we need to learn how to practically apply this one.
Yes. This verse. The one full of whatever, everything and all.
This is one way to practice “do whatever” in the name of Jesus: If you can’t attach the words, “in the name of Jesus” to the end of whatever you say or do, then you probably need to make a change.
Here are some examples:
- I can’t yell at my kids, in the name of Jesus … but I can discipline with patience, in the name of Jesus.
- I can’t talk about my friend behind her back, in the name of Jesus … but I can hold my tongue from gossip, in the name of Jesus.
- I can’t complain about the house being a mess, in the name of Jesus … but I can serve my family by cleaning the house, in the name of Jesus.
It becomes kinda obvious, doesn’t it? Not easy, but at least obvious.
A life lived “in the name of Jesus” is a life that pleases the Father, and that’s what I’m after. What about you? Let’s practice this together … doing “whatever” in the name of Jesus.
Shall we pray?
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