Useful Bible Studies > Colossians Commentary > chapter 3

Serve God with a grateful attitude

Colossians 3:17

Often, a letter from a company does not even mention the name of the person who wrote it. It is the company’s name that appears on the letter. So, the worker has written the letter in the name of the company. He has not written what he wanted; he wrote what the company gave him the authority to write. He has been careful to do only what his company wanted him to do.

In the same way, Christians must be careful to serve God at all times during their lives on earth. They must not do whatever selfish and wrong things that they may desire to do (3:5-10). Instead, they must do those things that Christ has told them to do (Matthew 7:24-27). Also, they must do those things in the way that pleases him (Ephesians 5:10). So, their attitudes as well as their actions matter to God. Even their thoughts matter to him (Romans 12:2). At home and at work, in public and private, Christians should be serving God, and not trying to please themselves.

So, we ask what attitude a Christian should have in order to serve God properly. Paul’s answer is: a grateful attitude. At all times, and for every good thing, Christians should give God thanks (Ephesians 5:20; compare James 1:17). That is why Christians sing to praise God (3:16). Even during their troubles, they praise him for his goodness (Acts 16:25). They praise him for what he did in the past to save (rescue) them (Romans 5:6-8). They thank him that he works even in their present circumstances to bring about his good purposes (Romans 8:28). They are so grateful for the wonderful things that he has promised to them in the future (Romans 8:18; 2 Corinthians 4:17).

Next part: Should a wife accept her husband's authority? (Colossians 3:18)

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© 2019, Keith Simons.