Colossians 3:17 AMP
[17] Whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus [and in dependence on Him], giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
As always, in defining the application and scope of instructions, you have to first identify the relevant audience. There will be no point in giving directions to people who have no inclination, desire or ability to do what you say. The book of Colossians from where today's verse is taken is addressed to 'the saints and faithful brethren in Christ'. That is pretty specific; this allows me review my life and define who I am. When I know who I am, I know what the expectations and demands are. It is also equally important to know that the foundation of all I do is the condition and contents of my heart. I can fake the life of the moral and the good for some time, but it is difficult to fake the life of Christ. It is either I have it or I don't. The world loves to focus on the outward and the visible actions, because there is no way it can define or determine the motives or intentions of the heart. Many have been led astray and destroyed by the hypocrisy and eye-service of people who claimed to know Christ but only knew of Him. They had no personal relationship with Him. Let it not be that this would be God's view of me: full of activities but no personal relationship with Him.
The one way I can make sure of the contents of my heart is to carefully filter whatever I allow leave an impression on my heart. It is from the impressions on the heart that the expressions of the life flow. It is not a wonder then that the verse just before today's extract says I have to let the Word of God dwell in me richly. That is the only guarantee that my heart will always have the right foundation for the expressions that will touch the world the right way. The disciples in the early church did not always have to shout that they were followers of Christ; everything about them spoke about their allegiance and dedication. When the relationship of the heart is sorted, then the life of service is also sorted. Then all I do becomes a channel of blessing by which God can be glorified. There is nothing like a small or inconsequential action; everything that has been placed in my hands becomes an opportunity to make God known. My life's expressions then lead to praise, because men will be drawn to the God I serve. My light will so shine before men that they will glorify the name of the God I worship. What is the basis of your actions? Make sure that God can be glorified in and through you. God's time of favour is here.
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