Doug’s Doorstep

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Whatever You Do

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At this time of the year most people are thinking about the man named Jesus Christ. I’m pleased that people do this but hope it is not just at this time of the year but rather every day of their lives.

As we travel on this journey of life, we are called upon to put Jesus first in our lives in every thing. The apostle Paul would write to the church at Colosse and would tell them, “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” Colossians 3:17 (NASB)

Note some things about this verse. First, “whatever you do.” As you live your life, whatever your position, status, job, relationships, ethnicity. This does not leave any area of your life out. We are not called upon to do “some,” a “few,” “whenever we feel like it” or “when I think about it,” whenever it is convenient,” but whatever I am doing, I need to put Jesus first.

When Paul said “in word or deed” that covered it all, didn’t it? This means our speech must be above reproach. We try to speak in spiritual terms and do not curse every other word out of our mouth. We don’t speak evil of anyone. We don’t slander, belittle, make fun of anyone. We guard our speech so that God is glorified in all that we say.

But Paul also added “in deed.” All that we do, as we have said, needs to be honoring our Lord and Savior. When we have jobs, we give the employer a day’s work for a day’s pay. We do not just work when the boss is looking, but we are there to lift up Christ. (Ephesians 6:5-6) We provide for our families as best we can, we are kind to our neighbors, we are called upon to even be kind to our enemies. See what Jesus said in Matthew 5:44-45.

And as Paul concludes this verse, he lets us know that we are to give thanks through Jesus to God our Father. It’s hard to live a life of evil and lift up God in our lives. Jesus has done so much for us; we all need to examine our lives to make sure we are doing all we can each day to glorify the Savior.

Are you doing this? If not, today would be a great day to begin and live your life for Jesus. Will you do it perfectly? No. But as we try to please God, we will be blessed in our lives.