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 Paul
wrote, "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the
name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by
him" (Col. 3:17). He is NOT urging us to attach a label or
verbal formula "in Christ's Name" to everything we do
or say. Rather, our words and deeds must rest upon His authority
— said and done with a view to serving Christ. The principle
is illustrated in following verses. "Wives, submit
yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the
Lord." "Children, obey your parents in all things: for
this is well pleasing unto the Lord." Servants, obey your
masters "fearing God" — "as to the Lord"
— "for ye serve the Lord Christ" (Vs. 18,20, 22-24).
Obligations
grow out of relationships: husband and wife obligations coming
with marriage; parental obligations, with children; social and
civic obligations because we are a part of society and citizens
of government. Patterns of conduct (mores, or moral standards)
are developed thusly; and existed before 1,500 B.C., when God
gave the Ten Commandments to the Jewish people. But while the
Ten Commandments did not originate morals, they gave them new
dimensions. They said, God is back of all this — do this
"as unto God." The recognition of God is the basis for
all true morals.
Rom.
1:18-f. shows us that recognition of "eternal power and
deity" imposes two obligations: to glorify and be thankful
— look up to, and feel a dependence upon, God. We repeat, the
recognition of God is the basis for all true morals. But
conversely, the denial of God is the basis for all sin. Refusing
God, man exalted him self. He "worshipped and
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served the
creature more than the Creator" (v.25) so God "gave
them up" (vs.24, 26,28) to stew in their own juice.
Leave
God out of the picture, and morals become situation ethics;
religion becomes only a social development. There is no sin —
only social maladjustment; and there is no hope for anything
more than this crass world. No wonder unbelievers who try to
reason it out show a "despair syndrome."
But
sin is "against God." It is "against
society" and more than that. When Joseph was tempted
Potipher's wife (Ex .39:7-9) he replied, "How can I do this
great wickedness, and sin against God?" He understood that
his obligations were deeper than those of honor and
fairness among men. When David recognized his sin with Bathsheba
(2 Sam. 12:7-14) he said, "I have sinned against
Jehovah." Later, in his psalm of contrition he prayed to
God, "Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done that
which is evil in thy sight" (Psm. 51:4). Jesus has the
Prodigal say, "Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in
thy sight..." (Lu. 15:21).
God-service
goes much deeper than external conduct. Samuel could tell Saul
(1 Sam. 15:22) "to obey is better than sacrifice." The
external offering, without the heart, was nothing. This is a
fundamental principle of God-service, as true in the Old
Testament as in the New (Psm. 51:16-17 Hosea 6:6; Amos 5:21-24).
It does not negate obedience, but shows the true meaning of
obedience "as to the Lord."
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