Do All in the Name of the Lord

Do All in the Name of the Lord – Colossians 3:17

Authority must be granted.

Have you ever acted in someone else’s name? It is quite a common thing for people to be given the “power of attorney” over someone else, so they may act on their behalf. This kind of power may not legally be assumed by anyone, however, without authority being granted by the one in whose name the action is to be taken. In other words, before I can do anything in someone else’s name, I must have their authority to do so.

What we teach or practice in religion must have God’s authority.

This same line of thinking applies in religion. Colossians 3:17 says, “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.” Everything we teach or practice in religion must have God’s authority to back it up. Without divine authority, it may not be said that a particular religious teaching or practice meets with the approval of the Lord.

The Word of God, which supplies us with authority.

It is the Word of God, which supplies us with authority from God to do or say anything in His name (Acts 4:7-10). Unless there is a direct statement, necessary inference, or approved example from the Bible to authorize a particular teaching or practice, it is simply impossible to affirm that there any divine authority behind it. That is why most preachers in the churches of Christ quote the Bible so many times in their sermons.

The Lord taught that many people will be surprised to learn, on the Day of Judgment, that their souls are lost, simply because they did not “do all in the name of the Lord” (Matthew 7:22-23). Let us all resolve not to be numbered among them!