Colossians 3 (Listen)
3:1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.
12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. 20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. 22 Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. 25 For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.
Devotional:
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…Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people… (Colossians 3:17,23)
We can be tempted to think that there are certain things in our lives that don’t matter or certain things that we do that have no connection to our faith in Christ. However, Paul reminds us that everything we say and do matters and should be done in the name of Jesus. Rather than wishing we were doing something else, we should thank God for the opportunities that He has given us this day. It also means seeking to honor Jesus rather than impress or please people with our actions. This does not mean that we should do things to displease others, but rather, that our focus should be on Jesus’ perspective and not on those of this earth. So, whatever you do or say today, remember to do it in the name of Jesus.
Pray It: Father, help me to remember that every word I speak and every action I take matters and should be done for your glory. Help my words and actions this day be pleasing to you, done with thanksgiving and for your glory. Amen.
Share it: Who can you share a verse or thought from this passage with today?