“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,”

Col 3:23 NKJV

Early in my Christian walk everything was exciting and fun except my work environment which was repetitive and not very challenging, but one day I was reading Colossians’ and verse 23 hit me between the eyes. I recognised that I had not brought Jesus into my work environment, so from that time I determined to recognise that Jesus was my boss and not Tate & Lyle. It worked and since then I determined to live by the above passage.

This year has not been easy for anyone with changing parameter’s and the closing down of churches, something which hasn’t happened since the Magna Carta. God has ordained that we should meet together – where two or three are gathered together…- as he knows that we need each other to encourage and challenge one another. It is in this action that in fact we are taught, whether in fact it is a Bible Study, a Prayer group or a Sunday Sermon. WE NEED EACH OTHER.

The government seems to think that all we need is a computer or phone and everything is OK. How wrong they are.

True we can have some excellent teaching on-line as well as some horrible ones and it is good, provided we have discernment, to have the chance to listen or watch some first class teachers even if they are in America! But how does this really compare to listening in our own church service?

Firstly they are all second hand. They are directed towards their own congregation and their needs not ours. Too often we will not be focussed completely on the teaching and have interuptions. We will tend to watch a variety of speakers with different theologies and emphasis so we are not really ready for God to actually speak to us. Please don’t stop watching them just be aware of the downfalls. Just think how this compares to a live teaching in our own congregation with everyone waiting expectantly for God to speak and knowing that we shouldn’t ‘switch off’ as the pastor who has put a lot of preparation into this might notice!!! We should come away from a Sunday Service knowing that God has touched us in at least one place and a commitment to attend to it. His refining is an ongoing process.

Well we are still in ‘lockdown’ and may not be able to meet again for a while. How is our spiritual condition? Are we still moving forward or have we dropped back a bit? I was reading Colossians today and verses 17 and 23 struck home again. We are so restricted in what we can do, so was I doing things mainly for myself or for the Lord. Were the teachings for my entertainment or to allow the Lord to touch me? Was I really ‘doing everything heartily as to the Lord’? That is for me to work out, but as a congregation should we be doing a spiritual check on ourselves, are we a fighting force ready to resist the whiles of the devil?

Our Wednesday ‘On-line’ meetings may be a poor substitute, but we do see each other and we are able to express our views and make comments as well as pray together. We should take every opportunity to stick together and remain a fighting force and worthy of God’s army. I would also recommend studying in a prayerful meditative manner, Colossians 3.

Col 3:1-4:1

Not Carnality but Christ

3 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.

8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, 11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.

Character of the New Man

12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.  14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be 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 whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

The Christian Home(cf. Eph 5:21-6:9)

18 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them.

20 Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.

21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.

22 Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. 23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.

NKJV