Passage: Colossians 3:17-22
The Big Idea
Every broken relationship traces back to Eden, where we started living in Satan’s “name”: rebellion and self. Now Paul calls us to do everything, in word and deed, in the name of the Lord Jesus, representing His character and kingdom, and giving thanks to the Father through Him. That’s what transforms our everyday relationships.
Where Broken Relationships Come From
Why are there so many broken relationships and scandals in the world?
Believe it or not, they all go back to the Garden of Eden. That’s where Satan convinced us to start doing things in his name.
That’s right. He convinced us to represent his kingdom instead of God’s, his priorities instead of God’s.
Think about it. Satan’s “name,” his character, is all about rebellion and self. What I want. What’s best for me. It’s the blueprint for every scandal. His evil character isn’t hard to recognize.
But God’s kingdom is about love: serving others and serving God. To do things in His name means we represent His kingdom and character in everything we do.
The Text (Colossians 3:17)
Whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
That about covers it.
Since we’ve been bought with the blood of Jesus. Since He loved us and gave us His all. Since His Word and Spirit dwell in us richly. Since He never leaves us or forsakes us. Since He promises to provide everything we’ll ever need, desire or need to become.
We get to live our lives fully surrendered to His will, for His kingdom, representing His name.
What’s in a Name?
A name is how we know someone. The name of Jesus represents His character and His work.
- He is God.
- He created all people.
- He will judge all people.
- He loves all people.
- He died for all people, to forgive them.
- He is patient and kind by nature, and also King and Judge.
- He is wisdom and knowledge, grace and mercy.
All of that is represented by one name: Jesus. And all of that is represented by you when you say you follow Him.
He’s nothing to be ashamed of. He’s perfect in every way. He glorified God in everything He did and said. And by His grace, He has planted that same life in us. We grow in it by feeding on the Word of God. And now we represent His name in everything we do.
Think of a police officer. He represents his city and its authority. We expect him to act in the city’s name and do what’s right at all times. And everyone hates a dirty cop who dishonors the badge.
Or think of the superheroes we grew up with. We expect them to stand for what’s good and true.
As Christians, we wear the badge of Jesus. We bear His name, and everything we do should represent that name and what it stands for.
Why Keep Giving Thanks?
Why does Paul say that as we represent Jesus all day, we need to keep giving thanks all day?
Because it isn’t really you doing any of the good things that represent Jesus. It’s Jesus doing them through you, by His grace.
So every time we represent Him well, we can turn around and thank Him for doing it in us. That keeps us humble, and it keeps grace flowing in our lives.
The moment we think it’s about our discipline, our effort or our goodness, we become proud, and pride shuts off the flow of grace (James 4:6).
Resurrection Life at Home and at Work (Colossians 3:18-22)
From here Paul shows how this resurrection life plays out in our most ordinary relationships. Each one is simply “in the name of the Lord Jesus,” lived out:
- Wives and husbands (verses 18-19): wives honor and support their husbands as fitting in the Lord, and husbands love their wives and are never harsh with them. Both reflect Christ’s self-giving love for His church.
- Children and parents (verses 20-21): children obey their parents, because this pleases the Lord, and fathers don’t provoke their children, so they won’t lose heart. Home becomes a place where the Father’s patience is on display.
- Workers and bosses (verse 22): those who work for others serve sincerely, not just when someone’s watching, out of reverence for the Lord. Our real Boss is Jesus.
None of this is a new law to earn God’s favor. It’s what His life looks like when it flows through us into the people closest to us.
Grace Takeaway
You carry the name of Jesus into every conversation, every home, every workplace. You don’t represent Him in your own strength. He lives His life through you, so do everything in His name, and thank the Father every time you see His grace at work.
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