Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. I. WHAT THIS IS. 1. To go to God through Him (John 15:3, 16; John 16:23-26). 2. To do all by His authority (Matthew 18:18-20; Matthew 28:18-20; 1 Timothy 6:15). 3. To do all by His strength (Acts 4:6-7, 10; 1 Samuel 17:45; Philippians 4:13; 2 Corinthians 12:9). Without Him we can do nothing, with Him every thing (1 Corinthians 15:10). 4. For His glory (1 Corinthians 10:31; John 5:23; Revelation 5:12, 13). 5. To live a life of faith for a supply of all things for life and godliness (2 Peter 1 ; John 16:23). 6. To walk in the religion of the Lord Jesus (Micah 4:5; 2 Timothy 2:19; Matthew 10:22; Luke 21:17; Revelation 2:3, 13). 7. To follow His example (Matthew 16:24; 1 John 2:6; 1 Peter 2:21-23). II. WHY WE ARE TO DO IT. 1. Be cause all we are, have, or can do, is of Christ (1 Corinthians 3:22, 23). (1) All grace and strength (1 Corinthians 1:30). (2) Adoption (Ephesians 1:5). (3) Reconciliation with God (2 Corinthians 5:18). (4) All our actual supplies (Philippians 4:19). 2. Because the Father has highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name (Philippians 2:8-10). Therefore we must all honour the Son as the Father (John 5:23). 3. Because we cannot be accepted but by Him (Ephesians 1:6; Hebrews 13:15; Hebrews 5:1). 4. Because all that comes from God to us must be by His hand. III. HOW WE MAY DO IT. 1. We must be supposed to be in Christ first (John 15:4-5). 2. Supposing this we must exercise faith upon Him, and have constant recourse to Him, in all that we do for the supplies of His grace and Spirit (1 Peter 2:20; 1 Peter 5:7; John 16:16, 23, 26). 3. We must live in close communion with Jesus in the use of all His ordinances (Zechariah 4:12). 4. We must exercise our thoughts much upon Him, and be much taken up with Him in the course of our lives (Psalm 73:23). IV. some uses. 1. It is not in our power to act as we please, or for our own ends (Romans 14:7-8). 2. The impiety of those who invoke Christ's name on their wicked courses. 3. We cannot expect God's blessing on anything not done in Christ's name. (H. Wilkinson, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. |
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