Everything in the Name of the Lord Jesus
15 And let the peace of Christ, to which you were also called in one body, rule your hearts. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 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 3:15-17)
Closing this section on transformed lives as followers of Christ, Paul tells believers to “let the peace of Christ, to which you were also called in one body, rule your hearts. And be thankful.” Previously, in Colossians 2:18, Paul warned the believers to not allow the unbiblical rules established by the false teachers to be over them. Instead, believers are to have the peace of Christ rule over them, especially when there is an argument or dispute among believers, as they are to be united as one body. Having a thankful mindset of all the blessings that God has provided will also remove any thoughts of jealousy or status among the believers, as the false teachers tried to cause dissention.
Then, in verse 16, in order to be transformed into Christ, believers must be in the Word every day and allow it to change their hearts. It is to reside within their lives, “dwell richly among you, in all wisdom teaching.” As it says in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” As Max Anders writes, “When the word of Christ finds a comfortable home in individual believers and in the new community, there will be teaching (positive instruction), admonishing one another (negative correction), and thankful worship, evidenced by singing and gratitude.”
Finally, in verse 17, in every aspect of a believer’s life, “whatever you do, in word or in deed”, they are to give honor to “the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” As believers grow in their relationship with Christ, they are being transformed every day, and should be able to display Christ to the world around them, so that they may witness who the Savior is and see the need for Him in their own lives. We live because of Christ, and therefore, we will live for Christ, and give Him all the praise and honor through our words, thoughts, and deeds.
Blessings,
Isaac De Guzman
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