As Unto the Lord (Feb 14)

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men. - Colossians 3:23

To whom do you belong? Who is sovereign over your circumstances? Who really is in control? We may answer that we belong to God, but sometimes the way we go through our lives doesn't really agree with that answer. One of the first things that I think of when reading the above Scripture is how we approach our jobs. Many people enjoy their jobs, but a lot of people do not. In fact, even the people that say that they enjoy there jobs surely have a stretch of time, or at least a few days here and there, that they would rather be somewhere else doing something more important or something more enjoyable. Well, instead of being bummed out or complaining about our circumstances, I think it is better to remember the statement, “whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” I know some people that do their jobs very shabbily. I also know people that cheat their employers out of money by showing up late, leaving early, taking extra or extended breaks, or otherwise slacking off at work. If this is how the Christian approaches work, it is not a good witness of their master.

God has not placed us where we are simply for the output we can produce, whether it is at a factory, at a desk, at school, or at home with children. He has put us there because that is a context in which He wants to display Himself. Our work is about Him, even if it's entirely secular in our minds. We are there because God wants to put godliness on display for others to see. He wants to infiltrate the culture we work in. (Chris Tiegreen)

This, of course, does not just apply to work, but all areas of life. If you have the God's Spirit living in you, all that you do will be done for His glory—not your own.

Whatever you do, have this in mind: you are doing it not just because God wants you to be there, but because He wants to be there too.

Colossians 3

1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. 5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: 7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. 8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. 9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: 11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. 12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. 18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. 20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. 21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. 22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: 23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.