Colossians 3:23 - ALIVE in CHRIST!!!
Colossians 3:23 (NIV) Whatever you do, work
at it with all your heart, as working for the
Lord, not for men.
INTRODUCTION
Since the creation, God has given us work to
do. If we could regard our work as an act of
worship or service to God, such an attitude would
take some of the drudgery and boredom out of it.
In fact, working for Christ instead of a boss
or a paycheck ought to bring a definite
enthusiasm to our efforts. [Life Application SB]
COMMENTARY PEARL
I'm the queen of procrastination. Often,
when facing a new project, I have to muster up
the courage to start. With a recent writing
assignment, I did all sorts of other tasks before I got
started. I swept the garage, threw out old stuff from
the fridge - I even cleaned the fish tank. I
busied myself with a few more distractions until I
decided it was too late in the day to start because
my creative juices flow best in the morning.
Once I did start writing, the words flowed, time
flew, and I felt a peaceful satisfaction when
done.
So why do I procrastinate? Truthfully, I
fear what others will think of me. But allowing
that fear to control my actions, or inaction,
only leads to more anxiety. It's a vicious cycle.
When I find myself stuck in this cycle, I know I
have to look to Jesus as my inspiration. He never
procrastinated. He was always about His Father's work (John
5:17; Luke 2:49). He never cared what others
thought about Him. He did His work for His Father,
not to please people. To overcome my fear and to
do my work for God rather than people, I now
try these three simple steps: first, ask Jesus
for help; second, recite Colossians 3:23; and
third, start!
When I'm tempted to procrastinate, I take
a moment and ask myself, Am I working for the
Lord or for people? Once I truly believe my work
is for Him, I gain the courage to start.
Jeannie Blackmer
Faith Step: Write down a task you need to
start, pray for Jesus to help, and specify a time
for doing it. Then do it wholeheartedly for the
Lord. [Mornings With Jesus 2022 Devotional by
Guideposts and Zondervan]
COMMENTARY
With a loving spirit we may perform
life's humblest duties "as to the Lord." Colossians
3:23. If the love of God is in the heart, it will
be manifested in the life. The sweet savor of
Christ will surround us, and our influence will
elevate and bless.
You are not to wait for great occasions
or to expect extraordinary abilities before you
go to work for God. You need not have a thought
of what the world will think of you. If your
daily life is a testimony to the purity and
sincerity of your faith, and others are convinced that
you desire to benefit them, your efforts will
not be wholly lost.
The humblest and poorest of the disciples
of Jesus can be a blessing to others. They may
not realize that they are doing any special
good, but by their unconscious influence they may
start waves of blessing that will widen and
deepen, and the blessed results they may never know
until the day of final reward. They do not feel or
know that they are doing anything great. They are
not required to weary themselves with anxiety
about success. They have only to go forward
quietly, doing faithfully the work that God's
providence assigns, and their life will not be in vain.
Their own souls will be growing more and more into
the likeness of Christ; they are workers
together with God in this life and are thus fitting
for the higher work and the unshadowed joy of
the life to come. SC 82-83
Love God with Your Strength
Jesus said the greatest commandment is to
love the Lord your God with all your heart, all
your soul, all your mind, and all your
strength (Mark 12:30 NLT).
As weve learned, God expects every one
of us to mature in all of these areas. But he
also knows each one of us tends to lead in one
area. This means God has shaped you to most
naturally be a talker (heart), feeler (soul), thinker
(mind), or doer (strength).
Today were going to focus on loving
God with all your strength.
Doers love God with their strength.
They're energetic activists - the achievers, the
accomplishers, the workers. They push things forward and
make things happen in practical ways.
What is the purpose of doers in the
world? Doers are here because the world needs
contribution - and doers can get the job done! They have
initiative, energy, action, and a drive to achieve. In a
practical sense, they often serve as the hands and
feet of Jesus in the world.
But we all have flaws, and for doers,
its overwork. Doers are always working. They
have trouble stopping to think or feel. They are
always busy!
Psalm 127:2 says, Its useless to
rise early and go to bed late, and work your
worried fingers to the bone. Dont you know he
enjoys giving rest to those he loves? (The
Message). If youre a doer, that would be a good
verse to put up on the mirror in your bathroom.
God wants his loved ones to get their proper
rest.
When you become a believer, your past is
forgiven, you have a reason for living, and you have a
home in heaven. But theres something that
doesnt change when you come to Christ: Your
personality doesnt change. God doesnt slow a doer
down when you come to him. He just changes your
direction. In fact, he wants to empower you. Remember,
you got your personality from him.
Colossians 3:23 has great advice for
doers: Whatever you do, work at it with all your
heart, as though you were working for the Lord and
not for people (GNT).
If God made you a doer, then he wants to
use you to get stuff done in the world. But
youre not meant to do it all, and you should never
try to do it in your own strength.
Its okay sometimes to do less - not
less for God, but less in other areas so youll
have more time to do what matters most. [Daily
Devotional by Rick Warren:
https://pastorrick.com/devotional/]
Doing vs. Being
My high school graduating class had its
thirtieth anniversary reunion a number of summers ago.
I'm sure they had a ball. A blast would better
describe it, knowing that crowd. You gotta understand
the east side of Houston back in the 1950s to
have some idea of that explosive student body
a couple of thousand strong and a lot of 'em
mean as a junkyard dog with a nail in his paw.
Since I wasn't able to attend the
reunion, I decided to blow the dust off my yearbook
and stroll down nostalgia lane. Faces aroused
smiles and stories as one memory after another
washed over me. Funny, I remembered a project we
seniors were given before the yearbook went to press
back in '52. We were asked to think about the
next twenty years and answer, "What do I want to
do?" The plan was to record our dreams and goals
in the yearbook, then evaluate them when we met
again at each subsequent reunion you know,
sort of a decade-by-decade checkup. Some of the
goals are not fitting to repeat, but some are both
interesting and revealing.
Several said: "Make a million bucks."
Others:
"Win all-American honors and play
professional football."
"Be the concertmaster of a
symphony orchestra."
"Finish medical school and have a
practice in Honolulu."
"Become the world heavyweight
boxing champion."
"Make a living writing short
stories, plays, and novels."
"Travel abroad as a news
correspondent."
"Live fast, die young, and leave a
good-looking corpse."
All sorts of goals. Some admirable, some
questionable, some crazy, a few stupid.
Without wanting to sound needlessly
critical, as I look back over three decades, I think
we were asked to answer the wrong question.
What we want to do is not nearly as important as
what we want to be. And the longer I live the
more significant that becomes. It's possible to
do lots of things yet be zilch as a person.
Doing is usually connected with a
vocation or career, how we make a living. Being is
much deeper. It relates to character, who we are,
and how we make a life. Doing is tied in closely
with activity, accomplishments, and tangible
things - like salary, prestige, involvements,
roles, and trophies. Being, on the other hand, has
more to do with intangibles, the kind of people
we become down inside, much of which can't be
measured by objective yardsticks and impressive
awards. But of the two, being will ultimately
outdistance doing every time. It may take half a
lifetime to perfect but hands down, it's far more
valuable. And lasting. And inspiring.
Remember those familiar words from
Colossians 3? Twice we read, "Whatever you do
whatever you do " (Colossians 3:17, 23). It's
almost as if the Lord is saying, "Makes no
difference what it is, whatever you do " But then
He immediately addresses things that have to do
with being. Like being thankful, being
considerate, being obedient, being sincere, being
diligent. Same pattern - God emphasizes being more
than doing.
So then, are you giving thought these
days to things that count? I hope so.
Goal-setting and achieving are important, especially if
we are in need of being motivated. Moving in
the right direction is a great way to break the
mold of mediocrity. It's helpful to ask, "What do
I want to do?"
But while you're at it, take a deeper
look inside. Ask yourself the harder question,
"What do I want to be?" Then listen to your heart
your inner spirit. True treasures will
emerge. Pick one or two to start with. Don't tell
anybody, just concentrate some time and attention on
that particular target. Watch God work. It will
amaze you how He arranges circumstances so that
the very target you and He decided on will begin
to take shape within you. Sometimes it will be
painful; other times, sheer joy. It won't happen
overnight, but that's a major difference between doing
and being. One may take only twenty years; the
other, the better part of your lifetime.
One can be recorded in a yearbook and is
easily forgotten; but the other requires a
lifebook, which is on display forever. [Chuck Swindoll
www.insight.org.]
ILLUSTRATION
Both dogs and cats have taught me lessons
about faith.
A dog loves unconditionally, accepting
discipline and holding no resentment. A dog follows its
master and likes to be right at his or her feet.
Our dog Shabah was always where we were. When we
went upstairs to bed, he planted himself right in
our doorway. In the morning, he sat on my feet
or Rick's while we did our devotions together.
He was easily trained because he wanted to
please us. If he needed something, he let us know
through his manner and his "puppy dog look": "I have
to go out." "Please please please throw
the tennis ball." "Give me a scratch." We always
responded. Shabah died, but now Sarge is much the
same.
I had numerous cats when I was a child,
and cats are lovely but independent. They don't
need to be with the "master" at all times. In
fact, cats seem to think they are the masters of
their own realms. "Here, kitty, kitty," doesn't
always bring them running. Sometimes cats will look
at you with that "what do you want?"
expression, and sometimes they'll find a nice quiet
place and just plain ignore you. On the plus side,
petting them is said to reduce stress. Who can
resist that nimbly purring sound they make when
they're being stroked? But affection has to be on
their own terms. They'll come when they're called
as long as you're offering food or milk. If
there isn't something in it for them, they'll come
when they please.
Don't get me wrong; I love both dogs and
cats. But in matters of faith, I don't want to be
like a cat, thinking I can call the shots and do
my own thing. I want to be like a dog. I want
to be at my Master's feet. I want to serve Him
the way the apostle Peter describes: "willingly,
not grudgingly - not for what [I] will get out
of it, but because [I am] eager to serve God."
When I hear God's quiet voice, I want to come
running, grinning from ear to ear, ready to do
whatever He asks.
Lord God, I want to be wholehearted in my
devotion to You, loving You fully and unconditionally
because You are my God and You care for me. Teach me
to be loyal, to remain close to You, and to be
eager to do Your will. May I serve You with my
whole heart, not out of duty but out of pure love
for who You are. [Earth Psalms by Francine
Rivers re 1 Peter 5:2]
CLOSING THOUGHT
Many people dread their work. If
youre one of them, try changing your attitude
toward your work! Gods eyes fall on the work of
our hands. One stay-at-home-mom keeps this sign
over her sink: Divine tasks performed here,
daily. Indeed, work can be worship.
Peter wrote, You are a chosen people.
You are a kingdom of priests, a holy nation,
Gods very own possession. This is so you can
show others the goodness of God. (1 Peter
2:9). So, let every detail in your life - your
words, actions, whatever - be done in the name of
the Master, Jesus. (Colossians 3:17). You
dont drive to an office, you drive to a
sanctuary. You dont attend a school, you attend a
temple. You may not wear a clerical collar, but you
could, because your work is Gods pulpit! [Max
Lucado Daily Devotional at maxlucado.com]
LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE
Colossians 3:23 - How to Live for Jesus.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2018/20180826-1042.html
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo
Steps to Peace by Billy Graham:
https://stepstopeace.org/
Seeking God Made Real:
http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
Parable of the Sower - Open Heart Surgery by
Ralph Ringer: https://vimeo.com/666314378
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies:
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Voice of Prophecy Discover Bible Study
Guides:
https://www.voiceofprophecy.com/study/discover
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies:
http://www.bibleresearch.info/
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of
Adventist World Radio: https://www.awr.org/bible
Panorama of Prophecy with Pastor Doug
Batchelor: https://www.panoramaofprophecy.com/
Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW:
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
Islam and Christianity in Prophecy, The
Third and Final Conflict by Tim Roosenberg:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHSJB-fuHLU&list=PLWhQIHGTHlkaGg5Cwe3NDzWtFX8vNSpsE
