The best praise, however, is a heart song. So the Apostle adds "singing
in your hearts unto God." And it is to be in "grace," that is to say,
_in_ it as the atmosphere and element in which the song moves, which is
nearly equivalent to "by means of the Divine grace" which works in the
heart, and impels to that perpetual music of silent praise. If we have
the peace of Christ in our hearts, and the word of Christ dwelling in us
richly in all wisdom, then an unspoken and perpetual music will dwell
there too, "a noise like of a hidden brook" singing for ever its "quiet
tune."
III. The all-hallowing Name of Jesus.
From worship the Apostle passes to life, and crowns the entire series of
injunctions with an all-comprehensive precept, covering the whole ground
of action. "_Whatsoever_ ye do, in word or deed"--then, not merely
worship, specially so called, but everything is to come under the
influence of the same motive. That expresses emphatically the sanctity
of common life, and extends the idea of worship to all deeds.
"Whatsoever ye _do_ in _word_"--then words are _doings_, and in many
respects the most important of our doings. Some words, though they fade
off the ear so quickly, outlast all contemporary deeds, and are more
lasting than brass. Not only "the word of the Lord," but, in a very
solemn sense, the word of man "endureth for ever."
Do all "in the name of the Lord Jesus." That means at least two
things--in obedience to His authority, and in dependence on His help.
These two are the twin talismans which change the whole character of our
actions, and preserve us, in doing them, from every harm. That name
hallows and ennobles all work. Nothing can be so small but this will
make it great, nor so monotonous and tame but this will make it
beautiful and fresh. The name now, as of old, casts out devils and
stills storms. "For the name of the Lord Jesus" is the silken padding
which makes our yokes easy. It brings the sudden strength which makes
our burdens light. We may write it over all our actions. If there be any
on which we dare not inscribe it, they are not for us.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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