Week 9, Day 5: Do All In the Name of the Lord
Today’s Reading: Mark 1:1-2:28
Some thoughts from yesterday’s reading…
In churches of Christ, there are two drastically different attitudes toward Bible Authority. One school of thought believes that God has given us His word for a reason, and the reason is that He expects us to be obedient to it. Based on this, one would understand the Bible to be laying forth a pattern of works that are necessary to follow so that one could be pleasing to God. To accomplish this, God has revealed His mind through the revelation of examples, and commands, so that we can know what He wants us to do. The second school of thought is that God has given us the Bible as a general guide for what He wants us to do. He has given us some examples of things that are acceptable to Him, but they are certainly not limiting. We can use God’s examples as ideas for what we would like to do.
Practices between these two schools of thought are drastically different. The first school will only do those things that are found in the New Testament, either found in a command or an approved example. The second will have many newer, and “progressive” practices that they believe are loosely based on the general examples of the New Testament. Let me provide an example of this idea. In 1 Corinthians 16:1, Paul gave instructions for how the church in Corinth were to provide funds for themselves to meet a need. The first school of thought would say that we have an example of how the church is to take up a collection to provide for financial needs. We can take up a collection on the first day of the week (Sunday) to provide for these needs. The second school of thought says that this is only one example of how we can gain such funds. They often argue that the first day of the week was just a convenient time for the first century church, but only incidental to the example. Therefore, the collection can be taken up at any time that is convenient for the church.
What does all of this have to do with our reading from yesterday? We have a key in the midst of our reading, that tells us which of these two schools of thought is correct. If we look at Colossians 3:17, we see that God, through inspiration, has told us that we are supposed to do all things (whether in word or deed) “in the name of the Lord Jesus.” This phrase means that we are to do all that we do by the authority of Christ. The only way that we can know what is authorized is by being told by God! How else can we know what He authorizes (or what He is happy with)? If we enact practices that we cannot find in God’s revelation, then we are not doing that practice “in the name of Jesus Christ.” We may claim that we are acting by His authority, but if He has not spoken, we are not!
Some try to limit this passage, claiming that it only really applies to the verse immediately preceding it. Many don’t even want to apply it there, as doing so means that the practices of having bands, choirs, and such are prohibited. But, this verse is not limited in scope. It applies to all that is in this context. We have aspects of personal responsibility, family responsibilities, and work responsibilities all addressed in this passage. Colossians 3:17 is very far reaching, just based on the wording of the verse itself. Paul said, “Whatever you do in word or deed…” What aspect of life is not covered by that?
We need to commit ourselves to following the will of God in every thing. Our actions should be constantly fashioned by what we find revealed in His word. If we find that our practices are not authorized in His revelation, then we need to abandon them.
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One Comment »
Cynthia said :
March 13, 2009 at 8:47 pm
It is good that you pointed out that this verse applies to all aspects of life. It is not just about public worship, or the work of the church; it is about every word I speak and every action I take. Everything should be based on what God’s word teaches us. The other thing we have to remember is that we can’t just say that something we are doing is in the name of Jesus and expect it to be OK with Jesus. The scriptures tell us what Jesus authorizes, and that is what we have to search for.