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.
This is an immensely concise divine precept that applies to every word and action of a Christian. It is a succinct, yet comprehensive rule for a victorious Christian life. In any circumstance of life, it will serve as a golden rule for a God-honouring life. All of life’s scope is addressed with the words “whatever you do” and “in word or deed.”
Though the principle specifically mentions every word and deed, it also concerns our thought and motive. It presents to us the purest motive for every word and action – “do all in the name of the Lord Jesus”. If this motive would govern every speech and action, our life will be holy and acceptable to God. Only when we do all things in our Lord Jesus Christ’s name can we dispel selfishness and ungodliness from our conversations and activities.
The “name of the Lord Jesus” provides us with the blessed assurance that all matters of our relationship with God (i.e. worship and prayer) and all matters of our daily activities, are acceptable and pleasing to God. Living our lives in Christ’s name will grant us the confidence that the Lord is pleased with us, and that our ways will redound to His glory.
Let us also take note that “the name of the Lord Jesus” concerns His authority, His character, His truth, His will, His purposes, His pleasure and His glory. So living in accord with His name means to live in harmony with His revealed will, in subjection to His authority, and in dependence on His power. In other words, we are most concerned about His repute and glory. We will thus do nothing apart from His approval and blessing.
We are also exhorted here to say and do all things, “giving thanks to God and the Father by him”. In all our conversations and activities, let us thankfully remember that it is His grace that helps us to live and progress in life. A thankful spirit will enable us to be happy in all our enterprises, brave in all difficult circumstances and patient in adversities. Thanksgiving must pervade all realms of our lives. Let us also take note that it is by Jesus Christ that we are expected to render our gratitude to God. He is the channel by which all God’s goodness is poured upon us. Our thanksgiving will not be genuine and acceptable to the Father if we exclude Christ, who is His only begotten Son whom He has given unto us.