23Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.
Nehemiah 2 records Nehemiah’s response when he left his position as cupbearer to the king of Persia to go to Jerusalem in order to help build Jerusalem’s walls. He was distraught over the rubble and the destruction he saw all around him. As he observed the destruction, he said to the leaders of Jerusalem, “You know very well the trouble we are in. Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire” (verse 17). As we saw in our Bible study yesterday, this was a call for the leaders in Jerusalem to stop being complacent and to stop ignoring the rubble around them. Next, he called them to do something about Jerusalem's lack of walls. He said to them, "Let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and end this disgrace!" (verse 17). Indeed, the lack of walls was, as Nehemiah noted, a disgrace. It was a disgrace to the people of Israel to live without walls. After all, the lack of walls signaled vulnerability and weakness among the people of Israel. More than that, it was a disgrace to God to leave their city unprotected and in ruin. After all, He deserved their very best, and they had not given Him their best.
Still today, God deserves our very best. The apostle Paul tells us in Colossians 1:23, "Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people." In this passage of Scripture, Paul teaches us to work with whatever we do as if we were working for God, not people. How should we work for God? We give Him our very best, knowing that He, the King of all kings and creator of the universe, demands the very best that we have to offer.
What about you? Are you living in such a way that you are giving your very best? I urge you, my friend, to live with excellence, remembering that everything you do is for God. After all, He deserves the best you can give.
Moving toward action
As you go throughout your day, set out to obey Colossians 3:23. Do everything as if you were working for the Lord and not for people. This includes giving your best as you take steps to act on your divine burden. Seek to give Him your very best today.
Going deeper
Living the New Life
1Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 2Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. 3For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. 4And when Christ, who is your[1] life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.
5So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. 6Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming.[2] 7You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. 8But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. 9Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. 10Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. 11In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile,[3] circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized,[4] slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.
12Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 15And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
16Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. 17And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
Instructions for Christian Households
18Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting for those who belong to the Lord.
19Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly.
20Children, always obey your parents, for this pleases the Lord. 21Fathers, do not aggravate your children, or they will become discouraged.
22Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything you do. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. Serve them sincerely because of your reverent fear of the Lord. 23Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. 24Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.[5] 25But if you do what is wrong, you will be paid back for the wrong you have done. For God has no favorites.
Translation notes (5)
- 3:4 Some manuscripts read our.
- 3:6 Some manuscripts read is coming on all who disobey him.
- 3:11a Greek a Greek.
- 3:11b Greek Barbarian, Scythian.
- 3:24 Or and serve Christ as your Master.
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