New Life In Christنموونە

How to Live My New Life

Today, we end our 4-day Plan with a strong exhortation from the Apostle Paul in Colossians 3:17 (NIV) — and whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. 

The Passion Translation (TPT) says it this way: “Let every activity of your lives and every word that comes from your lips be drenched with the beauty of our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One. And bring your constant praise to God the Father because of what Christ has done for you!”

Wow! That’s an awfully tall order, isn’t it? Seems a little unrealistic to think that everything we say and do will be in the name of Jesus. And is constant praise and gratitude even attainable? 

Instead of focusing on the all-encompassing words like all and every, let’s shift our mindset. What if we tried not to think about what we can’t say or can’t do and just set up some parameters to help guide us? And as we’re mindful of these daily things, we honor God by doing it in His name. We should ask ourselves...

• Do my words build others up or injure their spirits?
• Do I serve when I see a need or feel it's beneath me?
• Am I compassionate to others or do I not care?
• Do I forgive even when I don’t feel like it?
• Do I love people even when it is a challenge to do so?
• Am I kind even when others aren’t kind to me?
• Am I gentle when it’s easier to be harsh?

It’s not that we won’t make mistakes. We will. And occasionally, there will still be relational debris behind us. But, the hope is that our words and actions will begin to line up under the authority of Christ’s work in our lives. That we’ll begin to consider everything we do and say all in the name of Jesus. 

So let’s root out the junk that has held us hostage for so long by planting in compassion, kindness, patience, gentleness, humility, forgiveness, and love. Let’s put off the fits of rage, anger, and malice that corrode our hearts and put on the very things that God desires of us. 

And as we make these choices, let’s ask God to develop within us hearts that are full of gratitude for all He’s done for us. People whose lives are marked with gratitude have an unquenchable joy that is contagious to those who cross their paths.

Reflect

• Do you interact with others with the understanding of how good God has been to you?
• As you go forward, spend time each morning asking God to give you eyes to see where you can live out these virtues within your daily relationships.