Colossians 3:23 “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.”
The Bible speaks of having a “strong work ethic.” Colossians 3:23 challenges one to see whatever you are doing to be done “as to the Lord.” In Colossians 3:17 we are to do everything we do “in the name of the Lord.” We are to be representing the Lord with our work. Our work ethic should be consistent with who Christ is. Paul now adds that our work should be done “As To The Lord.” The idea is that we are to be looking for His approval. Our mindset then should bring about a desire that no matter what we are doing we are to be doing our very best. We want to hear from the Lord well done!
How are we to do whatever we do so it will be approved by the Lord? He says, to “do it heartily.” Other versions will say “work at it with all your heart,” or “do it enthusiastically,” or “work at it with enthusiasm,” or “do it wholeheartedly.” Interestingly the Greek word here is not one for the heart but is the word for the “soul.” The idea is that you put your soul into what you are doing. To do something for the Lord is to be filled with passion, with soul!
I have had many employees working for me and I have been blessed to have many who went the extra mile, giving to the various ministries excellence. Occasionally I would have someone who needed some encouragement to do better. I recall a time when I gave an employee an assignment and was looking forward to seeing what they would produce. When they returned to my office and handed me their work, I reviewed it and was astonished. It was work done with little effort. Believing they could do much better work (and that the work was not to my standard) I asked the worker to sign their name to the work. With it being a poster that was to be posted in many locations and many people would be seeing it I quickly heard, “Give me a little more time to work on this.” An hour later I saw a very professional poster that was done with excellence!
Autograph your work with excellence!
Are you putting your soul into “whatever” you are doing? Are you making the most of the opportunities you are receiving? Are you truly doing your best for the Lord?
A March to Remember
For March 23, let us remember Luke 23:33. Luke 23:33 says, “And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left.”
I find Luke 23:33 to be so very sobering – so humbling – as we read they crucified Him. The word crucifixion describes the execution that was designed to cause extreme pain, agony, and shame. Let us remember the agony of Golgatha. Let the words “they crucified Him” stir in your heart a deep commitment to Christ who gave His life for you.
On March 23 we encourage you to read Matthew 23 and Luke 23 to recall our Lord’s rebuke of those who rejected Him and to read of His gruesome crucifixion and death and burial.
You can find the Bible reading plan on the Date the Word app.
Continue Strong this March Remembering our Savior,
And remember to DATE the Word