Jump Start # 2482

Jump Start # 2482

Colossians 3:17 “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”

I’m a reader of bumper stickers. I don’t have any on my car, but I like to read what others have. Some are cute. Some are strange. Some are offensive. Some, I have no clue what they mean. The other day I saw one that said, “Everything is connected.” That was it. Everything is connected. I don’t know if that was an environmental statement, a political statement, a philosophy, a new age concept, or something that is part of Eastern religions. Everything is connected.

Everything is connected does have a Biblical ring to it. This is a principle that some do not get. Everything is connected. This is why the Bible uses expressions such as “Christ lives in me,” or, “Christ is our life.”

Maybe this was behind the immorality problem we read about in 1 Corinthians 5. Paul’s words are, “someone has his father’s wife.” Even the Gentiles knew better. Now, the sexual sins were not happening in worship. This was something that was going on at home. However, “everything is connected.” We can’t be wrong at home and right at church, or more so, right with God. What we do at home, and what we do at work IS connected to all that we do and IS connected to our relationship with God.

Have you noticed how many “non-worship” principles are found throughout the N.T.

• How husbands and wives were to treat each other
• How masters and slaves were to treat each other
• How citizens were to behave towards the government, including paying their taxes
• How children were to treat their parents
• How we are to have proper attitudes towards others
• How generous we are, especially with the poor

Everything is connected. Christianity is more than just adding “worship” to my busy lifestyle. It’s more than squeezing in a couple of hours on Sunday for God. That’s the false concept that too many have. And, it shows in many areas. When it comes to selling things, they may lie and be dishonest. But if they make an extra buck, they will laugh about it. However, they never see that what they have done impacts their relationship with God. Here’s a guy at work, and he may pad the expense reports, and fudge a few numbers here and there, to make himself look good, and to get some “extra” money dishonestly. To him it’s all a game. Everyone does it and that makes him feel ok about what he does. However, he never realizes that his greedy heart is wrecking his relationship with God. He doesn’t see the connection between expense reports and God. He doesn’t get that everything is connected. Or, here is a person that really wants a job. He writes some things on his resume that are not true. He hopes it lands him the job. He never gets that everything is connected. Or, here is a guy at home and he spends very little time with the kids. He falls asleep every night watching sports and he has no time for his children. On weekends, he’s out golfing rather than sitting in the stands watching his kids play sports. He is truthfully very neglectful in what he is doing. He never understands that this is also hurting his relationship with God. Everything is connected.

Years ago, old preachers used to draw a circle on the chalkboard and talk about the different areas of our lives. There was work, there was home, there was social, and there was worship. But what these lessons failed to show was that the pie pan was Christ. Everything is connected. Everything is influenced by Christ. What I do on Sunday is as important as what I do on Friday night. At work is as important as in worship. At home with the family is as important as fellowship with brethren.

And, the failure to see this is what leads to so many problems. Out drinking on Friday nights is God’s business, as well as the business of God’s people. What I do at home is God’s business as well as the business of God’s people. How I work is God’s business as well as the business of God’s people. Cheating on tests is God’s business as well as the business of God’s people.

Everything is connected. A Christian can’t hide behind the American Constitution to justify saying and doing whatever he feels like. I have the right, doesn’t stand in the court of Heaven. If you are a Christian, you don’t have that right. You have been bought with a price. You are to glorify God. Our verse today, whatever you do, in word or deed, you are to do all in the name of the Lord Jesus. I can’t say anything I want. I can’t do anything I want. I belong to Jesus. Everything is connected. I can’t watch any movie I want. I can’t go anywhere I want. Why? Because everything is connected and I belong to Jesus.

So, my attitude will shape my marriage and my family life as well as my relationship with God. The words I use will help or hurt others and impact my relationship with God. What I do, or what I decide not to do, will affect my relationship with God.

Everything is connected. Everything! You never turn off the Christ button. Never. You may leave work at work. You may leave home stuff at home. But everywhere and all the time, you belong to Christ. What happens in Vegas, doesn’t stay in Vegas. It influences your relationship with God. You can’t be right with the Lord and wrong in other areas. God doesn’t give you a pass because it’s your vacation, or a wedding, or you want to something just one time. Everything is connected. You are always and everywhere a child of God. There is never a time, nor a circumstance when you turn that off.

Everything is connected. This sure makes a person think, doesn’t it.

Roger