Our Work for the Lord
“Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,”
Colossians 3:23 (NASB)
This verse is such a simple reminder of who we are working for as a follower of Jesus. So many times in the church, we express that we are doing things for other people, but in reality, the only person we are working for the Lord Jesus. It is so easy to get bogged down in doing things for other people…giving of time and resources for others…but we must remember that we are serving the Lord, not man.
There are a couple of things that stand out to me in the text. First and foremost, this text is for everyone. It says, “whatever you do”, so there is nothing that we do that is not covered. Whatever work we do at home, office, church, school, neighborhood…whatever and wherever it is to be done for the Lord. No action is exempt…no person is excluded.
The other thing that stands out to me is that I am to work “heartily“. Another translation states, “Work from the heart for your real Master.” This means that all I do must reflect my heart, so the condition of my heart needs to be of top priority spiritually. I must surrender my heart and all my life to the Lord.
Finally, this verse is undergirded by one of the greatest foundational truths of scripture…the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Before any other person or opportunity, we must surrender our lives under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Until we do that, we are not fully able to do any work “unto the Lord”. Work apart from the Lordship of Christ is fruitless and senseless. As a Christ follower, every moment we choose to live for Christ is not wasted…it can be used to bring glory and honor God and bring others into a deeper more committed life in Jesus Christ. I don’t know about you, but I want my actions in this time I have here on the earth to honor Jesus Christ and to be used for the greater good of the kingdom of God.
So the call is placed before us. Are you willing to surrender your ministry, secular job, family chores and duties over to the Lord? Are you willing to allow Christ to be the center of your leadership at home, church, school and work? Allow your decision to be based on this truth…live humbly before God as you serve in the name of Jesus Christ. I know as we give our hearts and lives in service to Jesus Christ that many things will happen. As we serve here at Pea Ridge and other places in our community, I am confident God will continue to mold you and continue to build His kingdom anew.
Pastor Greg