To the church at Colossae, Paul is giving instruction about what it means to be a new person in Jesus Christ. It involves a change in the way that you treat others, “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection” (Colossians 3:12-14). But it also involves the way that you view the Father and the Son. “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (Colossians 3:17). 

We must let the word of Christ dwell in us richly, that is to say, it fills us, molds us, and guides us. The evidence of this is through the songs that we sing. We are able to teach and admonish by the hymns that originate in our heart. But all of this is dependent on making Jesus the authority for all that you do, whether in the things that you say or the things that you do. 

Christianity is an active religion. We are to work as well as know, “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin” (James 4:17), act as well as believe, “You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only” (James 2:24), and do as well as we say, “Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do” (Matthew 23:3). The lives that we live are to be in honor of the Lord Jesus, respecting His authority and not based on human authority. 

Jesus is referred to “Lord”, indicating authority. The attitude toward this moniker is the driving force of everything we do. We are not to do everything in accordance with His will and not do anything contrary to His expectations. If we do this, then:

1. We will be like the wise man that built his house upon the rock – Matthew 7:24, 25

2. We will have a kinship with Jesus by doing God’s will – Matthew 12:50

3. We will be judged by our deeds – 2 Corinthians 5:10

4. We will be blessed if we keep God’s word – James 1:25

5. Others can be blessed by our works – James 2:15-17

6. We will assemble in the name of the Lord – Matthew 18:20

We wear the name Christian, “If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter” (1 Peter 4:14-16). 

We are taught to be thankful for everything God has given us. Thanksgiving comes from the heart and the realization that difficulties in life develop character. When we do all that the Lord commands and expects from His people, we are thankful for the blessings that bring about spiritual growth.

By: Justin Odom