“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” Colossians 3:17
I am a member of a group of pastors in Southeast Kansas that meet once a month for conversation, prayer, and accountability. Recently, someone in our group suggested that we start reading several Christian books together. Then we could discuss the books at our meeting. Of course, I immediately and wholeheartedly agreed to this idea. I thought that I could build up trust among the group members and then slip my latest book into the lineup. Just think about it. I would absolutely dominate the discussion. “No, no, no. I’ll tell you exactly what the author meant!”
Sadly, my plan probably won’t materialize. Prophets (and authors) have no honor in their hometowns.
Or in their homes.
The other day, I caught my wife, Amanda, reading a book by David Jeremiah.
I said, “I see you are reading the new book by Dr. Jeremiah. What do you think of it?”
“It’s incredible!” she answered.
“Why?”
“He’s brilliant.”
“You don’t think he’s smarter than me, do you?”
“Well…you’re different…”
Like the theologian and philosopher Rodney Dangerfield once said, “I get no respect.”
All joking aside, I don’t write books, columns, or sermons to impress anyone but the Lord Jesus Christ. A few years after Jesus saved me, He called me to ministry. He gave me a purpose. My purpose in life is to be an effective communicator of God’s Word. My life is complete because it is focused on Jesus.
The great composer Johann Sebastian Bach would write on the bottom of his musical manuscripts the letters INDNJC – which stood for the Latin word, “In Nomine Domini Nostri Jesu Christi.” Translated into English that means, “In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Every piece of music Bach composed, he composed in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
You and I are not great musical composers. We are just ordinary people. However, everything we do should be done “in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
If you are a teacher, you can prepare lessons and grade papers in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. If you are a construction worker, you can cut wood and drive nails in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. If you are a homemaker, you can prepare meals and do laundry in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. If you work in the retail business, you can stock shelves and run a cash register in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Even if you are a hack writer like me, you can pound a keyboard in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The point is: Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord. Even a small act of kindness such as giving a cup of cold water has eternal value when done in Jesus’ name. Little is much when done in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Do you long for purpose and significance? The first step is to trust Jesus as your personal Savior. Then, do everything for Him.
James Collins is a pastor at First Southern Baptist Church. His latest book, “The Nativity” is available through the website www.thepointis.net or by calling (620) 223-2986.
Love this article and for the note of INDNJC – I’d heard this before so it was a good reminder. If what we do is in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ than that will keep us on the straight and narrow. As a fellow author who has written a Children’s book called the Little Unicorn and the Nativity – to get a lot of criticism from fellow Christians who don’t believe that mythical creatures should be put in the same space as our Lord Jesus – it’s good to know that HE understands and helps to create all.
Jesus is the light. He is immediately available and present in every deed and word. even when I had not thought, I remember that he is watching and lifting me in my sins and triumphs. He has always loved those who struggle, those who achieve and those who wait. He is there when I begin, when I fail and and when other receive what I failed to finish. He is always there when no other is. Anything I write is in his hands. Whether I publish it or not he know far better than I can, where he can use it. My writing is mostly part of my own prayer life. I don’t need to publish. But I do love to be able to write and ponder. I thank Jesus that I can write to remember, and to thank him.