Colossians 3 - In the Name of Jesus Is More Than Just Prayer!

Colossians 3 - NIV

Enduring Word Commentary

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 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.

In Chapter 3 of Colossians, Paul teaches about all of the practical ramifications of our being raised with Christ metaphorically speaking. We have a new position in Christ before our Father in heaven. We no longer stand condemned, because Jesus has cancelled the written code of the Law. Jesus erased and wiped out all of our sins when he died for us on the cross, which made us right with God. 

In verses 1 - 14, Paul talks about putting to death our old nature, which is marked by the sins of the flesh. I.e. sexual immorality, anger, greed, evil desires. Then, he tells the Colossians to put on their new self which is characterized by qualities like compassion, kindness, humility, and self-control. As we set our minds on things above, we can live this new life. 

Then, Paul applies this to how we live in community together. All of the qualities he mentiones above are sharpened and shaped as we interact with each other. Paul says, "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts". We have the peace of Christ in our hearts when we come to believe in Him. This peace can be taken from us, when there is division in the church. Or, when are personally disobeying the Spirit in our own lives. 

The bottom line is when we gather together is the fellowship of the Spirit that we experience as God's perfect peace. We become the family of God. 

Second, it is say to, "Let the message of Christ dwell in you." The message of Christ is Good News about who Jesus is and what He has done for us. 

What does it mean to let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly?

To "let the word of Christ dwell in you richly" (Colossians 3:16) means to make the teachings, truth, and gospel of Jesus the permanent, central, and dominant influence in your daily life. (Google)

Paul talks about various ways this happens. It happens when the pastor preaches a sermon. It happens in Life Together Groups when small groups talk about the bible passage used on Sunday. and how it applies to their lives. It happens in bible study, as we dig deeper into a passage, and what it meant in the historical context it was written. We see how the original languages of Greek and Hebrew are translated into our English language. When we study the bible it often unlocks new meanings that help us to understand and apply the bible in new ways. 

Then Paul mentions singing psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Music unlocks emotions that mere words cannot. When we worship God using the truth from His Word, it is another way for God's Word to dwell richly in us. How many times have you found yourself singing or humming a Christian tune? How often have you felt the rich fellowship of the Holy Spirit when we are all singing together on Sunday mornings!  

Finally, Paul sums up all of this teaching by saying, "Whatever you do whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of Jesus giving thanks to God the Father through him."

The new man lives his life, all his life, for Jesus. He will only seek to do the things that he may do in the name of the Lord Jesus, and he will persevere in the difficulty of doing such things, knowing that he is doing them in the name of the Lord Jesus. - Guzik

It occured to me that if we do something in someone else's name, or can't do it Jesus' name, it is probab ly because it does not align with Jesus' life and teaching. This means we probably shouldn't be doing it anyways. When do things in Jesus' name that glorify God, we can naturally give thanks for the wonderful things that happen when we do!

Therefore, we pray in the name of Jesus, but we also do and say things in the name of Jesus!

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