Do All in the Name of the Lord

by Terry Wane Benton

"Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father" (Colossians 3:16-17).

Colossians 3:16-17 does not make an optional statement. So, we must make sure that we do all that we do by Jesus' authority. Looking in the book of Colossians, here are some things you cannot do "in His name":

1. You cannot promote the philosophy and traditions of men in His name. Colossians 2:8 His teaching is found in scriptures, the Old and New Testaments (the Bible), while traditions of men originate in the desires and imaginations of men. We must know the difference.
2. You cannot live according to the basic principles of the world in His name (Colossians 2:8). The basic principles of the world are to live by the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life (I John 2:16). Jesus does not authorize us to follow the impulses of the flesh.
3.  You cannot reinstate the "handwriting of requirements" (the Law of Moses) in His name (Colossians 2:14). The dietary rules of the Law (Colossians 2:16), the festivals, new moons, and sabbaths were but types and shadows of things that would have a spiritual meaning in Christ. If you try to bind circumcision or any other point in the old law, you are under a curse (Galatians 5:1-6), and you must keep all things in that Law, including the animal sacrifices and temple system. Jesus does not authorize that for us.
4. You cannot worship angels and men in His name (Colossians 2:18).
5. You cannot commit immoral deeds in His name (Colossians 3:5).
6. You cannot be disconnected from His church in His name (Colossians 1:18; 3:16-17). Some think they can forsake the assembly of the saints and still please God and go to heaven (Hebrews 10:24-25). Jesus never said that and never implied that. So, we can assemble with the church in His name, but we cannot stay home and be disconnected from the assembly of saints in His name.

Are you doing all in His name?