If you are looking for incentive... (Part 3 of 3)

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.  It is the Lord Christ you are serving.  Colossians 3:23-24

You may be looking for incentive today

In three-part blog series, we highlight a verse in Colossians 3 that is all about character.  It highlights three keys, all found in verse 23, that can help you grow in your equity, allowing you to increase in value in the workplace, class, your effectiveness in personal ministry, or your current role in life.  As you consider your dreams, put a plan into action, and launch into your future, we strongly recommend for you to hold onto these principles as they can help you.

PART THREE

“…as working for the Lord…”

Finally, we are instructed to simply let Jesus be our motivation and source for our actions.  Because of His example and sacrifice for us, we are to let Jesus drive our character and who we are from day to day. Paul plainly states the key is to understand that whatever we do, we do it as if we were working directly for Jesus.  If we are working, we report to Jesus.  If we are in school, our professor is Jesus.  If we are spending time with friends, it is for Jesus.  If we are alone reading a book or away with family, we are doing it for Jesus.  This motivator produces the consistent “McDonald’s brand”-like consistency that we previously discussed in Part 1 of this blog series.  It is the one common theme that is the same regardless of what we are doing and of what our day may bring us because “Jesus is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Heb 13:8).  If we are always working for the Lord, that will cause us to be the same person, same character, same brand; however we spend our time.

And Paul writes not as if to give some far-off out-of-touch instruction - he speaks from his own heart and experience.  For just a few years before writing the passage above, he said this about his motives in his second letter to the church in Corinth:

For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.  And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.  2 Corinthians 5: 14-15

These words are not a call to be extra religious, or to think about Jesus a little extra on Sunday, but to be a driving force in what we do.  Consider how God has worked in your life up to this point.  Do you feel and understand the immense love that God has for you?  Do you see the immeasurable value that God has placed on you as shown to you through the cross of Jesus?  And is this motivating you to build a strong personal foundation in your walk with God?  Does this spirit motivate you to invest with “all your heart?”

This passage contradicts what the enemy desires and much of what we see around us.  Much of the world lives for income, job title, or doing what they like to do for selfish enjoyment.  There is a perceived fulfillment and happiness that come from obtaining status, title, and oceanfront home.  But don’t be distracted by these types of motivators.  Perhaps you will be blessed with these things in the future or not.  Either way, don't let this drive you.  Dwell on Paul’s words, even if so familiar, and consider your intention, planning, and action today and tomorrow.  In God's eyes, in whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.