For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all. 2 Cor. 5.14
If we were to do everything as if we are doing them for Jesus, I believe this would make all the difference. Joy would emerge from doing the simplest and most menial task, if done in the name of and for the glory of Jesus. This is true. Paul wrote to the Colossians: “whatever you do, work at it with your whole heart, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”
If every activity were done for Jesus instead of for ourselves, it would cause all of our activities to become holy acts of worship. Rather than selfish, they become selfless. If our acts are done as if we are doing them for Jesus, then all things become spiritual, no matter if they are big or small, glorious or menial. Also, it doesn’t matter if anyone finds out if we did them or not since we do them for Christ instead of to be seen by people. A follower of Jesus knows that he does nothing for himself or others. No, he does all things for Jesus, as if every act is done for Jesus alone.
When we live this way, this changes the way we think about everything. All things become different than they once were. Old things become new, worthless things become valuable, and every act ceases to be a task to be checked off and becomes an act of worship.
To see every task, everything we do as an act of worship to Jesus, the most humble and dreaded task can become holy ground. The line between a ‘Christian’ activity and a ‘secular’ activity no longer exists. (It never existed anyway since all things are created by God. This idea of ‘secular’ activity is only an invention of the pious Pharisaical mind.) The scrubbing of pots and pans, cleaning up trash, or changing a diaper is as spiritual as leading a bible study, leading worship, or preaching a sermon.
Too often, we see “Christian” things as more important than the ordinary activities of the day. This view is incorrect. Anyone who sees their task as more important than any other task, just because it is a ‘church’ activity is arrogant. It is the motive that determines the value. Besides, a person can lead a bible study, but if it is to show everyone how much you know or to try to draw attention or glory to yourself, it is empty. If I start a church in order to become popular or famous or just to hear myself talk, it is empty action.
If we were to do everything as if we are doing them for Jesus, I believe this would make all the difference. Joy would emerge from doing the simplest and most menial task, if done in the name of and for the glory of Jesus. This is true. Paul wrote to the Colossians: “whatever you do, work at it with your whole heart, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”
If every activity were done for Jesus instead of for ourselves, it would cause all of our activities to become holy acts of worship. Rather than selfish, they become selfless. If our acts are done as if we are doing them for Jesus, then all things become spiritual, no matter if they are big or small, glorious or menial. Also, it doesn’t matter if anyone finds out if we did them or not since we do them for Christ instead of to be seen by people. A follower of Jesus knows that he does nothing for himself or others. No, he does all things for Jesus, as if every act is done for Jesus alone.
When we live this way, this changes the way we think about everything. All things become different than they once were. Old things become new, worthless things become valuable, and every act ceases to be a task to be checked off and becomes an act of worship.
To see every task, everything we do as an act of worship to Jesus, the most humble and dreaded task can become holy ground. The line between a ‘Christian’ activity and a ‘secular’ activity no longer exists. (It never existed anyway since all things are created by God. This idea of ‘secular’ activity is only an invention of the pious Pharisaical mind.) The scrubbing of pots and pans, cleaning up trash, or changing a diaper is as spiritual as leading a bible study, leading worship, or preaching a sermon.
Too often, we see “Christian” things as more important than the ordinary activities of the day. This view is incorrect. Anyone who sees their task as more important than any other task, just because it is a ‘church’ activity is arrogant. It is the motive that determines the value. Besides, a person can lead a bible study, but if it is to show everyone how much you know or to try to draw attention or glory to yourself, it is empty. If I start a church in order to become popular or famous or just to hear myself talk, it is empty action.
The focus must shift from the activity itself to the reason for doing it, to the one it is done for the first place. I can clean my room with joy if I believe I am doing it for Jesus. I can talk with my neighbor, babysit someone’s children without charging, invite someone over for dinner, help someone fix a tire, cut the grass of an elderly neighbor, or pick up trash on the side of the road with great joy if I do it for Jesus.
You will find there is no lasting joy if you do any act for your own glory, no matter how much attention or applause you get from people.
All things are spiritual. If we can begin to do everything we do with the mindset that we do them as acts or worship, I believe that we will find great joy in doing them.
All things are spiritual. If we can begin to do everything we do with the mindset that we do them as acts or worship, I believe that we will find great joy in doing them.
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