Doing All in the Name of the Lord

    Our theme for this year is stated in one verse:  “Whatever you do in word of deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father” (Colossians 3:17). To do all in the name of the Lord is generally understood to mean, by His authority of or by the approval of the Lord Jesus.  But just to say we are doing something in the name of the Lord, does not mean, necessarily, that it is always by His authority of approval.

     For example, near the close of His sermon on the mount (Matthew 7:21-23), Jesus said, 21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many works of power?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you, depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’

    The Greek word for law is nomos. Add an alpha in front of the word (anomos) and it takes on a negative meaning, ‘not law,’ or ‘lawlessness.’  The KJ version translates it, ‘iniquity.’

    Though we are commanded to do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, the command itself comes, nevertheless, with a warning.  We must always be aware that what we say or do is indeed by the authority of or by the approval of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

     For example, we hear almost every day on nationwide TV the so-called sinners’ prayer which goes something like this:
    “God, I’m a sinner,  I’m sorry, please forgive me.  I believe Jesus is your Son and I want to trust Him as my Savior and follow His as my Lord from this day forward, in Jesus name, Amen.”

    If this is offered as a substitute for God’s plan of salvation (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:16), how do you suppose Christ will respond to those who offer this prayer in His name on the Judgment day? (Read again Matthew 7:23).

    After the recent lectureship that stormed our wills and helped our unbelief, let us remember what we have learned lest at any time we drift away from it. Our worship in spirit and in truth should now be more meaningful.  The songs we sing and our prayers to the Father we offer should be more focused.  Our sharing together in the body and blood of Christ should be even more meaningful as we take the Lord’s Supper together.

    It will help us also in teaching our precious young people that they may realize the Bible is not just another book but the very mind of God revealed by the Holy Spirit and must be followed if we are to be pleasing unto Him.

    Let us also consider one another even more carefully how we may stimulate one another to love and good deeds, always following after things that make for peace and the building up of one another.  Let us encourage one another in every assembly so that we may not be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

    We can be thankful that we have elders who are on guard constantly both for themselves and for all the flock to shepherd the church over which they have been appointed overseers.

    Let us always be aware of the authority and approval of the Lord in whatever we say or do in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. 

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