Toward the end of Colossians 3, Paul gives one of the clearest and simplest instructions for the Christian life. It is the “catch all” for everything discussed above:
“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Col 3:17).
Do every single thing, whether in word or deed, in the name of the Lord Jesus. In Paul’s day, when a Roman soldier was given a task to perform, he would do that task in the name of his emperor. He would come in his emperor’s name and would be responsible for doing everything under the banner he flies.
Here Paul says the same should be true for us as Christ’s people. Doing everything in his name means doing everything for him and doing it in a way that brings him honor. This is the very essence of being a Christian, of having put on the new man, Christ (Col 3:1–4, 12). We not only live with his character, under the blanket of his love, by his peace and his word, but we live for the glory of the Son who saved us.
Elsewhere, Paul says we are ambassadors for Christ. How we live reflects on him and he deserves for our lives to reflect well on him. How can we live this way? Well, have you ever noticed a mini-theme in the surrounding verses of this chapter? In verse 15, we are to “be thankful.” In verse 16, we are to “teaching and admonishing . . . singing . . . with thankfulness.” Now in verse 17, we are to do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, “giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
It’s possible to live in such a way that everything is done in Christ’s name because we are living as God’s people—his chosen, holy and beloved. We are living in response to his mercy and grace. Since our salvation is by grace, we can live with a heart of thanks to God through Christ. Grace causes us to live in an attitude of gratitude which motivates our actions. It is because God loves us that we can love Him.
But this gratitude doesn't payback God. Sometimes we give someone a gift because we have receive a gift and everything needs to be "even" in our mind! But, this isn't the kind of thankful motivation we have in the Christian. Why? Because Christ did everything to the glory of the Father and now his righteousness and life is imputed to us. This means God considers us as doing all that Christ did and now counts his righteousness as our own!
Thus, we do these things because we are accepted already, not to be accepted. We live with a desire to do everything in this world according to the name of the Lord who we represent, since he is the one that represents us to the Father. We are sons and daughters by faith in what Christ has done, and therefore we are now freed to live like it in everything. All of this causes our hearts to overflow with thankfulness to God!
Reflect on this prayer of thanksgiving and it inspire you to reflect on the specific blessings God has poured out on your life the you might live in thankfulness to God in the name of our Savior-King!
O my God,
Thou fairest, greatest, first of all objects,
my heart admires, adores, loves thee,
for my little vessel is as full as it can be,
and I would pour out all that fullness before thee
in ceaseless flow.
When I think upon and converse with thee
ten thousand delightful thoughts spring up,
ten thousand sources of pleasure are unsealed,
ten thousand refreshing joys spread over my heart,
crowding into every moment of happiness.
I bless thee for the soul thou hast created,
for adorning it, sanctifying it,
though it is fixed in barren soil;
for the body thou hast given me,
for preserving its strength and vigor,
for providing senses to enjoy delights,
for the ease and freedom of my limbs,
for hands, eyes, ears that do thy bidding;
for thy royal bounty providing my daily support,
for a full table and overflowing cup,
for appetite, taste, sweetness,
for social joys of relatives and friends,
for ability to serve others,
for a heart that feels sorrows and necessities,
for a mind to care for my fellow-men,
for opportunities of spreading happiness around,
for loved ones in the joys of heaven,
for my own expectation of seeing thee clearly.
I love thee above the powers of language to express,
for what thou art to thy creatures.
Increase my love, O my God, through time and eternity.
– from The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers
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