When we do something "in the name of the Lord Jesus", how are we to do it? How does that directive differentiate our actions?
As Christians, we wear Christ's name. And we should bring honor to it. The closest analogy that I can make is that when I took my husband's family name (25 years ago this past Tuesday!), I also took the responsibility of bringing honor to that name. Now, whatever I do is linked to the Hodges' family. And it is a family that deserves honoring! They have a great heritage and I am so blessed to be able to be a part of this wonderful family.
In the same way, I have taken Christ's name when I label myself as a Christian. Whatever I do, should be done in the same way Jesus would do it; whatever I say, should carry the same message as Jesus proclaimed. As Robert J. Morgan puts it, "That means we should do everything as though Jesus Himself were doing it. Our every word should be as though Jesus were speaking it."
That's a lofty goal, and one which we will probably never be 100% successful---but that is our goal, that is our aim, and that is what should be in our minds all the time. It really does come down to WWJD..."What would Jesus do?" We don't have to wear a bracelet to remind us (although that's not a bad idea!). When we have Colossians 3:17 embedded in our heart, subconsciously we will be reminded of our responsibility to be an accurate representation of Christ on earth.
I constantly fall short of representing Christ as well as I would like to. My words can be sharp or sarcastic; my actions can display selfishness rather than the love that I desire to show. But each morning brings with it another chance to be the person that Christ desires me to be today---to speak as He would, to love as He would.
To do it all in His name...the name of Jesus...the name above all names!
As Christians, we wear Christ's name. And we should bring honor to it. The closest analogy that I can make is that when I took my husband's family name (25 years ago this past Tuesday!), I also took the responsibility of bringing honor to that name. Now, whatever I do is linked to the Hodges' family. And it is a family that deserves honoring! They have a great heritage and I am so blessed to be able to be a part of this wonderful family.
In the same way, I have taken Christ's name when I label myself as a Christian. Whatever I do, should be done in the same way Jesus would do it; whatever I say, should carry the same message as Jesus proclaimed. As Robert J. Morgan puts it, "That means we should do everything as though Jesus Himself were doing it. Our every word should be as though Jesus were speaking it."
That's a lofty goal, and one which we will probably never be 100% successful---but that is our goal, that is our aim, and that is what should be in our minds all the time. It really does come down to WWJD..."What would Jesus do?" We don't have to wear a bracelet to remind us (although that's not a bad idea!). When we have Colossians 3:17 embedded in our heart, subconsciously we will be reminded of our responsibility to be an accurate representation of Christ on earth.
I constantly fall short of representing Christ as well as I would like to. My words can be sharp or sarcastic; my actions can display selfishness rather than the love that I desire to show. But each morning brings with it another chance to be the person that Christ desires me to be today---to speak as He would, to love as He would.
To do it all in His name...the name of Jesus...the name above all names!
1 comment:
That is so true. Each day is new day in our lives with Christ. Always desiring to follow Christ and pledging our faith through out our mind, hearts and through our actions. Always smiling for Jesus. His Joy is constantly with us. Thankful and generous love.
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