Colossians 3:17

Whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus, all

the while giving thanks through him to God the Father.

Everything the believers said and everything they did should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, realizing his constant presence and bringing honor and glory to him in every aspect and activity of daily living.

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31 niv).

To act in someone’s name is to act on his authority; believers act as Christ’s representatives.

Paul echoed the need for a thankful spirit, as he had in 3:15 and 3:16.

All we do for Christ should be done with the spirit of thankfulness for all he has done for us.

Believers are not enslaved to rules about every word they speak or deed they do; instead, they freely put themselves under the Lord’s guidance because they love him, have accepted his salvation, and live to glorify him.

Their thanks can go to God through Christ because Christ is the only mediator between God and people.

Believers are marked by Christlike living.

Paul offers a strategy to help us live for God day by day: {Everyday Praise}

• Imitate [Follow as a pattern] Christ’s merciful, forgiving attitude (3:12–13);

Colossians 3:12-13 (NLT2)
¹²  Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
¹³  Make allowance [Patient and Restrain] for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

• Let love guide your life (3:14);

Colossians 3:14 (NLT2)
¹⁴  Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.

{1 Peter 4:8} (NLT2)
⁸  Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.

• Let the peace of Christ rule in your heart (3:15);

Colossians 3:15 (NLT2)
¹⁵  And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

• Always be thankful (3:15);

Colossians 3:15 (NLT2)
¹⁵  And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

• Keep God’s Word in you at all times (3:16);

Colossians 3:16 (NLT2)
¹⁶  Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.

• Live as Jesus Christ’s representative (3:17).

Colossians 3:17 (NLT2)
¹⁷  And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

Doing everything “as a representative of the Lord Jesus” means bringing honor to Christ in every aspect and activity of daily living.

As a Christian, you representChrist at all times—wherever you go and whatever you say.

What impression do people have of Christ when they see or talk with you?

What changes would you make for your life to honor Christ?

Believers are marked by the way they treat each other.

Christians should live in peace.

This does not eliminate all differences in opinion, but loving Christians will work together despite their differences.

Such love is not a feeling, but a decision to meet others’ needs (see 1 Corinthians 13).

This commitment to others leads to peace between individuals and among the members of the body of believers.

Do problems in your relationships with other Christians cause open conflicts or mutual silence?

Consider what you can do to heal those relationships with love.

The word rule (3:15) comes from athletics: Paul tells us to let Christ’s peace be umpire or referee in our hearts.

Our heart is the center of conflict because there our feelings and desires clash—our fears and hopes, distrust and trust, jealousy and love.

How can we deal with these constant conflicts and live as God wants?

Paul explains that we must decide between conflicting elements by using the rule of peace: Which choice will promote peace in our souls and in our churches?

For more on the peace of Christ, see Philippians 4:9.

Believers are marked by the way they treat outsiders.

The Christian church should have no barriers of nationality, race, education, social standing, wealth, gender, religion, or power.

Christ breaks down all barriers and accepts all people who come to him.

Nothing should keep us from telling others about Christ or accepting into our fellowship any and all believers (Ephesians 2:14–15).

Christians should be building bridges, not walls.

When the Lord returns “in His glory,” He will judge not only the nation Israel (as in the Parable of the 10 Virgins [vv. 1–13] and the Parable of the Talents [vv. 14–30]) but also the Gentiles.

Matthew 25:37–46 (NLT)

³⁷ “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? ³⁹ When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’

⁴⁰ “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’

⁴¹ “Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons. ⁴² For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. ⁴³ I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’

⁴⁴ “Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’

⁴⁵ “And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’

⁴⁶ “And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.”