The Jesus Label
Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus. Colossians 3:17
READ Colossians 3:12–17
“Son, I don’t have much to give you. But I
do have a good name, so don’t mess it up.” Those wise, weighty words
were uttered by Johnnie Bettis as his son Jerome left home for college.
Jerome quoted his father in his American Professional Football Hall of
Fame acceptance speech. These sage words that Jerome has carried with
him throughout his life have been so influential that he closed his
riveting speech with similar words to his own son. “Son, there’s
not much that I can give you that’s more important than our good name.”
A good name is vital for believers in Jesus. Paul’s words in
Colossians 3:12–17 remind us who it is that we represent (v. 17).
Character is like the clothing that we wear; and this passage puts the
“Jesus label” of clothing on display: “As God’s chosen people . . .
clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and
patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another. . . . And over
all these virtues put on love” (vv. 12–14). These aren’t just our
“Sunday clothes.” We’re to wear them everywhere, all the time, as God
works in us to reflect Him. When our lives are characterized by these
qualities, we demonstrate that we have His name.
May we prayerfully and carefully represent Him as He provides what we need.
By Arthur Jackson |
As you evaluate your wardrobe, how “well
dressed” are you with Jesus’ character? How can you seek His wisdom,
power, and guidance to reflect Him even more clearly?
Father, forgive me when I don’t represent
Jesus well. Give me strength and courage to be better dressed for Your
glory and Christ’s name’s sake.
Learn more about the importance of living a life that honors Christ. | | | | |
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Gratitude is the single theme that unites verses 15–17 of Colossians 3. Without stating specifically what
we’re to be thankful for, Paul says that thankfulness to God should
characterize our lives. He concludes verse 15 by saying, “And be
thankful.” In verse 16, we’re to lift our voices in song with a grateful
heart. And in verse 17, we should give thanks to God in whatever we say
or do. Each of these admonitions comes from Greek root word charis,
which means “grace.” Another form of this word means “properly
acknowledging that God’s grace works well.” This suggests that all
thankfulness is ultimately rooted in God’s grace to us. The opening
verses of this chapter tell us why: we’ve been raised with Jesus, our
lives are hidden with Him, and we too will appear with Him when He comes
in glory (vv. 1–4). What more reason to be thankful?
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