And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Whatever you do ...
In this chapter of Colossians, Paul has been listing some of the behaviors that this community of believers (and all believers for all times) should not be doing and should be doing. It would be impossible for him to list out everything the should/should not do and it would be impossible to make a complete list that covered all aspects of life. It would also start sounding very much like the Pharisees’ list of what to do and not do. Instead, Paul gives a principle to live by and to make all our decisions. He tells them that no matter what they do, make sure it honors Jesus and brings praise to the Father, through Him. That is the overall message we are to convey in our walk with Christ. We are to want to do whatever we do in such a way that it glorifies God, in Christ. If we just use that principle we have a very easy guide on how to conduct ourselves in this world. Paul had no knowledge of a thing called the internet or social media. Yet, his principle to use it in such a way to give praise to God, through Christ, is sufficient to give us guidance. Paul knew nothing about entertainment as we see it today, yet this principle gives us what we need to make decisions as to what entertainment we indulge. Notice some other principles he gives in this book:
Colossians 1:10 (ESV)
so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Colossians 3:23 (ESV)
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,
Paul wants this group of believers (and us) to know how to conduct themselves in this world. He outlines for them an overriding principle that should be our guidepost, as well. The word whatever is broad enough to cover anything we do in word or deed. What does whatever not cover?
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