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Colossians 3 is a catalog of heart changes that reveal themselves as behavior changes. Intermingled in these instructions Paul gives some summary “whatever you do” mile markers.
Whatever virtues the Holy Spirit is developing in my life, my motivation for sticking with the sanctification process must be love. Love for God and love for those around me must be my motivator. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity (Colossians 3:14).
Whatever behaviors the Holy Spirit is prompting me to add, or change, or remove from my life, I must be able to say “yes” to each item on this list:
- Am I doing what Jesus would do?
- Am I thankful that I am doing what I am doing?
- Am I doing what I am doing wholeheartedly?
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him (Colossians 3:17).
One attitude check—am I operating in love?—and the three behavior checks listed above, should be something I regularly review. I want to make sure that whatever I do, I am working at it with all my heart, as working for the Lord, not for men (see Colossians 3:23).
It’s wonderful to make changes in my life, but I have to make sure that whatever I am changing is supported by the right attitude and pursuing the right goal, so that Jesus is glorified in my life.
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Craig T. Owens 