14 day plan

Our Work as Worship

Day 7 of 14

GNT

Colossians 3:17

17Everything you do or say, then, should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, as you give thanks through him to God the Father.

Reflection:  Our working for the Lord.  There are several statements in the Bible which make it clear that every part of our lives should be done as an act of worship to God (1 Corinthians 10:31, Romans 11:1–2). It is good to be reminded that all our speaking and actions – including our work – should be done in the name of Jesus, and in gratitude to God.  While the slave-master relationship in Greco-Roman times was different to the employment relationship in our culture, slaves had even less
reason than employees to obey, with reverence, their masters.  It is a challenge for us sometimes, to obey a difficult boss, or work in an organisation that has not treated us well; but it is made easier when we see ourselves as working whole-heartedly for the Lord rather than human masters.

Questions:  What difference does it make thinking of working for the Lord, rather than human bosses?

Prayer: Our Lord, When work is tough and we are not understood, help us to find motivation and joy by working for you.  When the work is easy, and we are loving it, help us to give thanks, and work for you.  Amen

We’re reading the Bible until June 2nd with Kara Martin, author of
Workship: How to use your work to worship God.

Colossians 3:1-25

1 You have been raised to life with Christ, so set your hearts on the things that are in heaven, where Christ sits on his throne at the right side of God. 2Keep your minds fixed on things there, not on things here on earth. 3For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4Your real life is Christ and when he appears, then you too will appear with him and share his glory!

The Old Life and the New

5You must put to death, then, the earthly desires at work in you, such as sexual immorality, indecency, lust, evil passions, and greed (for greed is a form of idolatry). 6Because of such things God's anger will come upon those who do not obey him. 7At one time you yourselves used to live according to such desires, when your life was dominated by them.

8But now you must get rid of all these things: anger, passion, and hateful feelings. No insults or obscene talk must ever come from your lips. 9 Do not lie to one another, for you have put off the old self with its habits 10 and have put on the new self. This is the new being which God, its Creator, is constantly renewing in his own image, in order to bring you to a full knowledge of himself. 11As a result, there is no longer any distinction between Gentiles and Jews, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarians, savages, slaves, and free, but Christ is all, Christ is in all.

12 You are the people of God; he loved you and chose you for his own. So then, you must clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Be tolerant with one another and forgive one another whenever any of you has a complaint against someone else. You must forgive one another just as the Lord has forgiven you. 14And to all these qualities add love, which binds all things together in perfect unity. 15The peace that Christ gives is to guide you in the decisions you make; for it is to this peace that God has called you together in the one body. And be thankful. 16 Christ's message in all its richness must live in your hearts. Teach and instruct one another with all wisdom. Sing psalms, hymns, and sacred songs; sing to God with thanksgiving in your hearts. 17Everything you do or say, then, should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, as you give thanks through him to God the Father.

Personal Relations in the New Life

18 Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, for that is what you should do as Christians.

19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

20 Children, it is your Christian duty to obey your parents always, for that is what pleases God.

21 Parents, do not irritate your children, or they will become discouraged.

22 Slaves, obey your human masters in all things, not only when they are watching you because you want to gain their approval; but do it with a sincere heart because of your reverence for the Lord. 23Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as though you were working for the Lord and not for people. 24Remember that the Lord will give you as a reward what he has kept for his people. For Christ is the real Master you serve. 25 And all wrongdoers will be repaid for the wrong things they do, because God judges everyone by the same standard.