City Life Starter

Written by Stefan Johnsson

The Word

Let the message about the Messiah dwell richly among you, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, and singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

-Colossians 3:16-17

Reflection

As I was reading through Colossians this week, I found the Holy Spirit drawing me to Colossians 3:17. As my eyes hovered over this verse, I began to dwell and meditate on the gravity of the words within.

“And whatever you do.”

“In word or deed.”

Paul is giving us no room to debate about the importance of this verse. Everything we are to do, everything we say or act on, will be included in the next phrase. Paul may not have been a lawyer by trade, but he definitely understood the importance of using the right words to encompass all things.

Our words come from our heart, it speaks to how we treat others and our thoughts. As Jesus says in Matthew 15:18, “But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person.” So any words we speak includes our thoughts and desires. Even if we think it, Paul wants us to include this for the next portion of the verse (see 2 Corinthians 10:5). Deeds includes any actions we take, because it is with our actions that we show our faith to the world (see James 2:14-26).

So what are we to do with our thoughts, desires, actions, and works? Well, good question.

“Do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus.”

Everything.

That was the word that stuck with me this week. Not just during church or in a small group. It means everything, 24/7, your entire being. If you are watching pornography in the dark corner of your room, can you do this in the name of the Lord Jesus? What about being angry and upset with your spouse? What about cursing, jealousy, enmity, drunkenness, or any other addictions you may have? You cannot do these things in the name of the Lord Jesus because it insults a holy God and grieves the Holy Spirit.

God wants our entire being, not just the tiny portion we give to Him on a Sunday morning. He is a jealous God, a God who expects us to be Holy because He is holy.

In many cases we live double lives. We have our church skin, work skin, then our friends skin, the one around family, and dare I say, our skin filled with sins we hide from others. Sometimes it gets tiring to live with different faces around different people. It becomes almost second nature for us and walking in the ways of a Christian around your friends would seem almost hypocritical because they have known a side of you that was different for so long. We lose the saltiness and light that we are supposed to share with the world.

Set aside the skins/faces you hold close. Repent from the sins that hold you hostage. And whatever you do, no matter the desires or actions you have, do it all/everything in the name of Jesus.

And then, give thanks to God. Because it was through His Son Jesus that we have the Holy Spirit to help us and guide us.

Application

Paul gives us great advice on how we can live for Jesus in the prior verse, verse 16.

–Let the message about the Messiah dwell richly among you. That is, remember all that Jesus has done for you, because if it wasn’t for Jesus, you will not be free from sin.

-Teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom. Be part of the church, seek accountability amongst others and be humble to the teachings of the elders/pastors who lead the flock. Encourage each other and pray for one another.

-Singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Worship God through singing, prayer, and praise. Do not let your hearts grow stale.

-With gratitude in your hearts to God. Always be thankful to God for what He has done. No matter the circumstances that life brings you, know that God is in control and will take care of you. Do not grow sullen or resentful.

And through all this, trust that the Holy Spirit will help you to complete the work of sanctification that has been started in your life, because without Him, it is impossible to please God. And it is impossible to live a holy life in your own power.

Prayer

Father in heaven, thank You for all that You have accomplished in my life. I cannot live without Your goodness. Help me that, whatever I do, in word or deed, I can do everything in the name of Jesus. I want to be a light to this world and not to lose my saltiness. Let the Holy Spirit work in my life today. In the name of Jesus I pray, amen.