Whatever you do

For any who trust in the authority of the Bible, it only takes a few minutes to make all of those “gray areas” less gray. Taking a look in the New International Version of the Bible for the words “whatever you do” gives four exact matches.

All a person’s ways seem pure to them,
but motives are weighed by the Lord.
Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
and he will establish your plans.
The Lord works out everything to its proper end —
even the wicked for a day of disaster.

Proverbs 16:2-4

To paraphrase, I am a poor judge of myself but if I want to succeed, do what the Lord wants. God will bring everything to completion, those things committed to him to a good end and wicked deeds to disaster.

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

1 Corinthians 10:31

When what I am doing gets played back for all to see, will we all agree that it made God look good or no?

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.

Colossians 3:17

Ah, “do” includes words and deeds. What I do reflects on Jesus and what I do is to be in thanks to God. This perspective makes revenge a hard thing to do and slander a hard thing to say.

Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Colossians 3:22-24

I don’t know anybody who does not have a master–someone under whose authority you are accountable. We might not like the word “slave” but can you say you are not a slave to something or someone, really? Have you been insincere or irreverent? It is time to reverse course. In everything, work at it with all your heart–not because God is tyrannical and will punish you. Instead, recognize that there is a promised reward from the God who became a man just so he could suffer and die to give you true life.

So, whatever you do–any and all the time–look over your shoulder at Jesus and sincerely tell Him that this is for His name and His glory because you are so thankful to Him and in the knowledge that He will make your plans succeed and will provide rewards to you and you conform to his will.