God Speaking

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

(Colossians 3: 17)

Once a month in our church, a luncheon is held for seniors. It is a very popular function at which a beautiful buffet luncheon is served, and tables are set for 6 people, and everyone is encouraged to sit with someone perhaps you don’t know very well. This is intended to help us get to know members of the family. The luncheon is followed by a speaker from the church who shares their life story and how they came to know the Lord Jesus and finishes with praise and singing. Many volunteers are needed to make this a success. During the more recent occasions, I was watching the volunteers’ clearing tables, washing up in the kitchen and it got me thinking of a verse from Colossians.

I noticed everyone of the helpers, from greeters to those in the kitchen, were smiling and seeming to be enjoying their jobs, even though they weren’t being paid. This attitude filled the room with joy which we all felt, they were doing it all for Jesus, imitating him which Paul told the followers to do, 

“But made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” (Philippians 2: 7)

Jesus gave us a beautiful example of this when he knelt like a servant and washed the disciple’s feet. 

It is very important for all of us to read God’s word and absorb the knowledge it contains for how to live, but knowledge is not enough and assuming we have it is not enough, we must live it. When Paul was writing to the Corinthians he used these words. 

“Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.” (1 Corinthians 8: 1)

When the motive for us to act in Jesus’ name is love, that is when our actions build up those around us and this was the sense all of us participating in the luncheon, felt. 

Our basic human natures desire to be praised. When we are praised for our actions we get a warm glow, but when we want to serve Christ, our main desire needs to be pleasing him and by doing so our actions are fueled by his love and he is the one building others up. Being guided by the Holy Spirit is the way we can discern how the Lord wants us to act. This is what our verse says, your words and deeds need to be done all in the name of Jesus (Colossians 3: 17) and when we do, how wonderful to hear this whisper 

“Well done good and faithful servant…” (Matthew 25: 21)