◄ What Does Colossians 3:23 Mean? ►

Having set out all the many advantages of being in Christ in the first two chapters of Colossians, and laying before us the glories of God's grace and the heavenly privileges of which we are all beneficiaries, Paul turns his attention to practical application in the final two chapters of his epistle.

At first, he deals with the responsibilities, duties, and mutual respect of wives and husbands towards each other, parents with their children, and masters and their servants. We are encouraged to act circumspectly and to work willingly and enthusiastically, doing everything with our whole heart and in a manner that is pleasing to the Lord, as though we were working for the Lord Himself, rather than for people.

Our actions should reflect purity of attitudes and not be carried out grudgingly or simply due to necessity or need. There should be no inner murmurings or resentments, but rather our work should flow from an inner being that delights to be of service, and seeks to undertake all that we do enthusiastically and with blessed goodwill, as though we were doing it all for the Lord Jesus Himself.

And although love for our Lord and Saviour should be the only reason we need to work wholeheartedly, God in His grace gives us yet another blessing: "You will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward." We have such a loving, merciful, generous Lord, what a blessing to do everything in our lives wholeheartedly for Him.

From this moment forward, whatever we do, whether in word or deed, let us undertake to do it with a pure heart and seek to do it as unto the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father, through Him.

Heavenly Father, as I undertake the daily roles and responsibilities in my life, I pray that I will undertake everything willingly, enthusiastically, and to the best of my ability. I pray that in all I say and do, I may do it unto You and for Your praise and glory. In Jesus' name I pray, AMEN.