SERVING GOD IN 2025 – RULES OF ENGAGEMENT (3)

“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23-24, NKJV).

Last week, we saw that God wants us to do everything we do in the name of Jesus. Doing things in the name of Jesus requires us to do things as He would do them. It implies that we act as His proxies. This would entail acting with His authority to bring His influence to bear wherever we are and in whatever we do. We act in the name of Jesus when our actions remind people of Him. A good example was the testimony of the apostles as recorded in the Book of Acts. The religious leaders had ordered the apostles to stop preaching Christ, but the apostles’ bold rejection of their orders got them wondering about the source of the authority that empowered their ministry. “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus”(Acts4:13). The only reasonable explanation they could attribute the supernatural life and feats of the apostles was their association with Jesus. The apostles did ministry in the name of Jesus and thus produced the result similar to what Christ did. It is mandatory for believers to do everything they do in the name of Jesus. This is a primary rule of engagement for all Christians. ‬‬‬

Doing things heartily requires us to perform tasks or activities with enthusiasm, dedication, and sincerity.

Doing things in the name of Jesus would require that we do them heartily as our text demands. Doing things heartily requires us to perform tasks or activities with enthusiasm, dedication, and sincerity. It means putting your heart and soul into what you’re doing, being fully engaged and committed. When you do things heartily, you’re not just going through the motions; you’re investing your emotions, energy, and passion into the task at hand. It’s about being genuine, wholehearted, and authentic in all you do especially if it concerns God in any way. The following story will clearly illustrate what it means to do things heartily “as to the Lord and not to men.” A group of labourers were working on construction site for a new church building. Most of the workers were grudgingly doing their work, while others were complaining and cursing in their half-hearted efforts. However, there was a young man who was doing his work singing happily. One could easily notice the difference between him and the rest of the workers. An observant passersby noticed the exuberant joy in the young man and decided to find out the reason for his happy attitude at work. His answer was simple and instructive: “We are building a Cathedral for God.” He considered it a privilege to be among those building a house for God. He exemplified what it means to do things heartily as to the Lord and not to man.

Every good work we do is ultimately a service to God. God is a good God and the Inspirer for every good work. Notice that our text was addressed to slaves in active service to their masters. Paul told them to serve their masters with all their hearts because by so doing, they are actually serving God who is the ultimate rewarder of good deeds. If slaves are required by God to serve their masters heartily, He would certainly not require any less from those He had redeemed with the Blood of His Son. Remember that we are created and redeemed for good works. Paul wrote to the Ephesians: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). To serve God this year, you must discover your “good work” and engage it with all your heart. You must do more than your best to get the job done according to the required specifications. Serve God determinedly and cheerfully in whatever responsibility that is assigned to you. Pursuit of excellence in all you do will be the driving incentive for your services to God this year in Jesus’ name.