I was reflecting with a friend of mine recently about how difficult it seems to be for us to find honorable people or companies to work for. Seems like everywhere we turn we are more likely to find someone or business that is all about itself.
Why is that? Why does it seem to be so hard for us to work for someone who is so focused on what is good for them more than on what is good for many. Then I realized, things now are not much different from the way things have always been. Today we are simply more aware of it because there is so much more of it.
In Colossians 4:17 we can find the answer to my question. This scripture says to us, “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
When I put this into my understanding I say it this way: No matter how things may be, when it is my duty to do or to say something, make sure that it is done in the name of our Lord.
I know this will be hard for many of us to accept. The world tells us to stand our ground and defend what is right for ourselves because no one else will do it. Perhaps that is why so many of us choose not to do it. But then we need only to think of Noah, Abraham, Daniel, Moses, Paul, and Jesus to see it is not hard indeed. In fact, it is the easy way to get through a hard situation.
Someone else will do what is right for us. That someone is the Lord when we live as unto Him. But how do we do this?
First, I believe our own selfishness, self-righteousness, and pride is why we choose a different path from what scripture asks us to take when we are challenged with circumstances we cannot control on our own. Even though God wants us to think of ourselves and others, He wants us to think of Him first.
The people in Noah’s time did what was right in their own hearts. Scripture says Noah was the only one whom the Lord found His righteousness. Noah was for God; the people were for themselves.
Daniel served God while he was in captivity in Babylon. but the people served other gods. Daniel was for God and the people for themselves.
Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery because of their jealousy and pride. They were for themselves but Joseph was for God.
Those who speak and do as if they are speaking and doing unto the Lord do so with their minds focused on how their actions and behaviors will be received by the Lord. They are not worried about whether man is right or wrong as much as they concern themselves with how their actions will represent what is right with Him.
As unto Him. So what does this simple statement mean?
Perhaps it means you may work for someone who is unfair towards you. Work diligently anyway as if they are being unfair to what the Lord wants from you. He will be fair towards you. That is better.
Perhaps it means you are in a relationship in which you are expected to give more than you get. Give more anyway as if you are giving back to the Lord. He will bless you more. That is better.
Perhaps it means you never receive the recognition you deserve for the things you do. Do those things anyway. God will let others know that He recognizes you for your service. That is better.
Or perhaps it means you receive less than others for the same work that others do. Accept what you receive as if your work is for Him. He will bless you by making what you receive go further than it could have gone.
As unto Him means that when you stand for Him you stand against your idea of what is right and wrong for you. It means things do not have to go your way for things to go well for you. It means you do not have to be satisfied by man because you are satisfied with Him.
So, when things are tough, and you look around to see everyone else doing what seems right in their eyes consider for yourself as unto Him.
Nothing can change things to your favor more quickly than when you speak and do all things as unto Him who is your righteousness.
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