Read

Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Think

There’s something weighty about putting your name on something. A signature on a contract. A name on a diploma. Your name stamped at the bottom of a card or etched into a work of art. It’s a way of saying, “I stand behind this. This represents me.”

Now flip that idea around: what if everything you did—every conversation, every post, every decision—carried Jesus’ name at the bottom? That’s the vision Paul gives us in Colossians 3. “Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.” Not some of it. Not just the spiritual parts. All of it. Everything under his name. Everything done with his reputation in mind.

It’s a bold and beautiful idea. But it’s also incredibly exposing. Because if you’re honest, there are probably things you wouldn’t want Jesus’ name attached to. Conversations you’ve had. Choices you’ve made. Attitudes you’ve held on to. If his name was stamped on everything, it would force you to slow down, to ask questions, to live with a deeper sense of purpose and awareness.

And that’s exactly what this verse is inviting us into—not perfection, but presence. Not behavior management, but mission-minded living. A life where Jesus’ name isn’t just spoken. It’s embodied.

The third commandment warned us against misusing God’s name. But this verse in Colossians offers a broader vision. We don’t just avoid dishonoring his name with our words—we honor it with our whole lives. We live in such a way that when people see us, they begin to see him more clearly.

But what does that actually look like?

It looks like consistency. Like integrity. Like being the same person in private that you are in public. Like responding with gentleness instead of sarcasm. Like showing up for people without needing the credit. It looks like quiet faithfulness when no one is watching, and humble courage when everyone is.

Living in Jesus’ name means your life becomes a kind of mirror—reflecting his character, his compassion, and his truth. Not because you’re trying to impress people, but because you’ve been transformed by grace.

It also means being willing to stop and ask: “Whose name is this really about?” Is this decision about building God’s kingdom or building my platform? Is this conversation going to point someone toward Jesus, or just reinforce my own opinion? Am I using my words to bless or to bolster myself?

It’s easy to speak about God while building a life centered on ourselves. It’s easy to say the right things in worship and still live a week that bears little resemblance to the God we’re singing about. But Colossians won’t let us compartmentalize our faith. It reminds us that our whole life—our work, our words, our rhythms, our responses—belongs under the authority and beauty of Jesus’ name.

It’s a bit like wearing a name badge. Anyone who’s worked retail or customer service knows the feeling. That little tag means something. It tells people who you are, and more importantly, who you represent. If you’re rude, it reflects on the company. If you’re kind, it builds trust. The same is true for believers. We walk around with Jesus’ name on us—not physically, but spiritually. And that name comes with both responsibility and privilege.

When we forget that, we start living disconnected lives. We show up at church with our “God” life but leave it at the door on Monday morning. We create a divide between spiritual and secular. But Paul is saying, “Erase that line. There is no sacred and ordinary. All of it is under Jesus.” That means your job, your marriage, your parenting, your texting, your finances, your social media presence—every part of your life can reflect his name or contradict it.

But here’s the good news: this isn’t about carrying a burden. It’s about stepping into your identity. To live in Jesus’ name is to remember that you belong to him. That you’re covered, called, and commissioned. It’s not about living afraid of failure. It’s about living aware of his presence. It’s about asking, “What would it look like to do this in his name?” and letting that question guide your choices.

Would it change how you speak to your spouse? Would it soften the way you disagree with someone online? Would it shift your priorities, your goals, your calendar? Would it challenge the way you treat the people who can’t give you anything in return?

The name of Jesus is not a tagline for our lives. It’s the foundation of our identity. And when we start from that place—when our days begin with the awareness that his name is on us—everything starts to change. Not instantly, not perfectly, but deeply.

If you’ve felt the weight of the third commandment this week, here’s the encouragement: you don’t just carry the name. You’re being transformed by it. God isn’t waiting for you to “clean it up.” He’s walking with you, shaping you from the inside out. And as he does, the gap between your words and your life gets smaller. Your reverence gets real. Your witness gets stronger. Your name gets smaller, and his name gets greater.

Not just on Sundays. But in everything. Every word. Every deed. All in his name.

Apply

As you go through your day, pause before a few key decisions or conversations. Ask yourself, “Can I do this in the name of Jesus?” If the answer is no, consider why. Let that question become a filter for your priorities. Tonight, write out a one-sentence prayer or declaration of what it means to live in his name this week.

Pray

Jesus, I want to live in your name—not just in what I say, but in how I live. Help me walk with consistency, speak with grace, and act with courage. Where I’ve compartmentalized my faith, bring me back into alignment. May every part of my life reflect who you are and bring honor to your name. In Jesus’ name. Amen.