This is a simple verse to read and a profound one to apply. As someone said, "It's a drop of language in a sea of meaning." One of the reasons I love this verse so much is because of the word "whatever". Whatever you're doing, do it in the name of the Lord Jesus. This doesn't mean we can do anything we want as long as we attach the name of the Lord Jesus to it. It means that there is no distinction between what we deem sacred and secular. Whatever you do to make money, do it in the name of the Lord Jesus. That's sacred. Whatever you do for fun, do it in the name of the Lord Jesus. Charles Hadden Spurgeon makes this comment on this verse,
"See how our being Christians does not relax the bonds of our Christian relationship, but it calls us to the higher exercise of the responsibilities and duties connected therewith.
Do not draw any line of demarcation, and say, “So far is secular, and so far is religious.” Let your whole life be religious; and if there is anything proposed to you, in which you cannot glorify God, do not touch it."

Johann Sebastian Bach would often put the initials INDNJC at the bottom of one of his masterpieces. These letters stood for the Latin words: In Nomine Domini Nostri Jesu Christi.

In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

"Whatever" Bach did, he did in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Colossians 3:17 became more real to me this week. I enjoyed a three day motorcycle ride with some Christian brothers from the church. We rode on some beautiful roads in the Gold Country of California. One might wonder if riding a Harley Davidson can be done in the name of the Lord Jesus. I'm here to testify: YES! It seemed like everywhere we went we were able to share our love for the Lord with others. People would ask, "Are you guys a club?" And we would reply, "No, we're a ministry for the Lord Jesus." After the shock wore off, they seemed to be intrigued by eight men who love the Lord and motorcycles.

But don't take my word for it, here's a blog post from one of the writers in Nevada City. Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Puttin' Padre's/Walking Group
Are you wondering who the group of 8 full dress Harley riders staying in the shores are, roaring up and down Banner Quaker Hill the last few days? Well, Caroline Inglis clued me in that they are all Pastors or Elders from the Evergreen Valley Church of San Jose, and they are staying at the home of Dave and Eileen Deardorf, a beautiful house on Baltic Place, snuggled up against a white cliff overlooking Scotts Flat Lake. This is their annual Cascade Shores excursion, and a nicer group you will not meet. Last night they told me they were going to start the day with breakfast in Grass Valley. I saw them parked at the General Store tonight, grabbing a burger I guess. Whoda thought they were church folk. See, you get a different impression when you see a group of Harleys, dontcha. Admit it. Anyway, be sure to wave when you see them pass.

I love the sentence: "Whoda thought they were church folk." YES!

So everytime I fire up my Harley, I'm going to follow the example of Bach: In Nomine Domini Nostri Jesu Christi. And I'm going to give thanks to God the Father that He loves thunder on the road!

Whatever you do, do it in the name of the Lord Jesus!

Pastor Tim