And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. Colossians 3:17
Many of us today live as if our actions and words do not make a difference. We think the words we say will not have a significant impact. We do not expect our actions to impact anyone but ourselves. The truth is our words and actions can make a significant difference, for better or worse. Most significantly, our words and actions either point others toward Christ or away from Him.
The apostle Paul instructs us to be deliberate and intentional with the words we say and the things we do in Colossians 3. In this chapter, Paul reminds readers that we are given new lives in Christ. We do not have to live for the things of this world anymore because we are living for Him. Instead of living according to our sinful nature, Paul writes, “put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like Him” (verse 10). In this new life in Christ, Paul explains that “Christ is all that matters” (verse 11). After exhorting believers to live according to our new nature in Christ, Paul writes, “Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives” (verse 16). In other words, Christ followers are to be focused on Christ and His message of hope. Next, he instructs us, “And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father” (verse 17). This command calls Christ followers to carefully choose their actions and words, knowing that they represent Christ by the things they do and say. After all, a lost and hurting world in need of hope is watching. Christ followers can either point others away from Christ by what they say and do or toward Him. As a result, our actions and words are to be taken seriously.
What about you? Are you living in such a way that words and actions point others to Him? Are you choosing your words and actions carefully and purposefully, knowing you are a representative for Him? I urge you, my friend, to live with the reminder that you are His representative and that the world is watching you. Live in such a way that you represent Him well, making others want to know more about Him by observing your words and actions.
Memorize Colossians 3:17. As you memorize, commit to taking the commandment in this passage of Scripture. Commit to do and say everything in the name of Jesus. Ask God for help as you seek to honor Him and represent Him in everything that you say and do.
Colossians 3:1-17
Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. 3 For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.
5 So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. 6 Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. 7 You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. 8 But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. 9 Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. 10 Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. 11 In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.
12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. 17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Ephesians 4:1
I recently left my almost one year old puppy Archie out of his crate for the first time while I ran a short errand. He has behaved very well and earned my trust to be allowed to roam free unsupervised for a short amount of time. This new-found gift of freedom that I gave my puppy came with an expectation that he would behave properly without destroying anything in my apartment while I was gone. Archie’s new-found freedom and my expectation attached to this gift of freedom is a reminder that every gift that we are given comes with an expectation. This is particularly true regarding the gift of salvation that Christ offers to His people. If we are His followers, we are expected to live as His followers.
The apostle Paul explained to his readers that they were given a calling and challenged them to live up to that calling in Ephesians 4. In this chapter, he wrote, “Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God” (verse 1). Paul began this exhortation by telling readers that he, himself, was “a prisoner for serving the Lord” (verse 1). He was explaining to readers that he was leading by example. He had taken his calling from God to follow Him so seriously that He was imprisoned for sharing his faith. Next, Paul gave his command, writing, “I beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling” (verse 1). What exactly is the calling God has given us? He has given us a calling to follow Him.
Jesus demonstrated this calling to follow Him during His ministry on earth when He called His first disciples in Matthew 4. He saw two brothers, Peter and Andrew, fishing and said to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people” (verse 19). This invitation to follow Jesus meant learning from Him, doing what He did, and teaching others what He taught. Peter and Andrew’s response to Jesus’ command is incredible. They “left their nets at once and followed Him” (verse 20). The disciples knew what all Christ-followers would ultimately discover: there is no greater calling than following Him.
The calling Jesus gave His disciples is our calling today. We, too, are called to follow Christ, learning from Him, living like He did, and making Him known to those around us. In light of this calling we have been given, Paul urges us, today, in Ephesians 4 to “lead a life worthy of our calling” (verse 1). Indeed, we have a worthy calling. It comes straight from God, Paul reminds us.
The question we have to wrestle with today is, Are we living a life worthy of the calling God has given us? Are we fully devoted to Him? Are we taking His commands in Scripture seriously and obeying Him? If not, what are we waiting for? There is no greater calling we have in our lives.
Pull out your journal or a notebook and answer the question: What does it look like to live a life worthy of God’s calling? After you answer this question, pick one step to take this week to take a step toward living a life that is worthy of the great calling God has given you.
Matthew 4:18-25
18 One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. 19 Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” 20 And they left their nets at once and followed him.
21 A little farther up the shore he saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, repairing their nets. And he called them to come, too. 22 They immediately followed him, leaving the boat and their father behind.
23 Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. 24 News about him spread as far as Syria, and people soon began bringing to him all who were sick. And whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon possessed or epileptic or paralyzed—he healed them all. 25 Large crowds followed him wherever he went—people from Galilee, the Ten Towns, Jerusalem, from all over Judea, and from east of the Jordan River.
©2024 Sagebrush Church
