One of the most mind-boggling teachings of the Bible is that Jesus ties his reputation to the broken people he’s rescued.
In today’s verse, Paul encourages the believers to do everything “in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Colossians 3.17b). In other words, everything you do, whether in word or deed, is supposed to reflect Jesus. Paul emphasizes this in 2 Corinthians 5.20 when he declares that all believers are “Christ’s ambassadors.” There is no part of our lives that remains “off-limits.”
We all have environments that can challenge us to live in the name of Christ. It’s easy at church to watch our language, and we wouldn’t wander onto a website we shouldn’t with our mom standing in the room. However, it’s vitally important we recognize these environments where we’re tempted to not bear Christ’s name well. Once you’ve identified your weak zone, consider how you might begin living in Jesus’ name.
One helpful way to begin making meaningful changes is to invite accountability. This generally isn’t a lot of fun, but if you choose someone who cares deeply for you, the process can be very helpful and meaningful. Tell someone you trust, and who can help you, about the environment that challenges you and how you struggle. Then begin brainstorming ways to honor Christ in that environment today.
