Good morning. How did you do treating those “image-bearers of God” with whom you came into contact? Remember- it is the daily experiences of life that are the true tests. So stay focused and continue to forge ahead. In Colossians 1, Paul tells the people that he is praying for them that they would have the “full knowledge of God in all spiritual wisdom and understanding so that they would walk in a manner that would please God.” The word “walk” really doesn’t refer to how I put one foot in front of another; but rather how I am doing in the daily affairs of life. So hang in there. Don’t give up. Work on the principles we established last week and strive to treat others as “VIPs” because they are! They are made in the image of God!The final principle of the six we have been discussing also relates to the daily affairs of life. But this one addresses our relationship with my Lord because it deals with all the aspects of my “walk.” Way back in my very first article, I discussed Paul’s description of the Lord Jesus Christ in which he establishes the fact that Jesus Christ is “preeminent over all of life.” What- you forgot! Paul says, after he describes the Person of Jesus, “so that He would have first place in everything.” Don’t believe me? Look it up- Colossians 1:15-18. Every aspect of my life is lived under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. He is my King and I “walk” under His Lordship.

This means that my entire life is to be one of serving the Lord. This is a life of worship! I don’t just worship the Lord on Sunday when we gather together to worship the Lord corporately- this is Sunday. But I worship the Lord 24/7 because I am to serve Him in all the affairs of my entire life. Yep- entire life! By the way that’s what 24/7 means. You know- 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! This means in everything I do! Treating others is one; another is washing the dishes (you don’t remember that; come on that was just a month or so ago); another involves driving the car (ooops that’s getting kinda personal); playing golf (you know that game where you hit a ball that is not even moving and follow it across a pasture trying to hit it into a small hole); in other words all areas of life- personal, occupational or recreational. All of life is lived under the Lordship of the Great King- Jesus Christ!

Read portions of Scripture like 1 Corinthians 10:31. Paul says that even the things of life which we do without thinking (in this case he uses our eating habits) are to be done for God’s glory. Can you imagine “Manners the Butler” (kinda dates me- he’s the little guy who would pick up our napkin which had slipped off our laps and inform us of a non-slip napkin) holding us accountable! Or Colossians 3:17 where Paul says “whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of Jesus.” We serve the Lord in all we do. That’s worship! We are serving the Lord 24/7.

The Dutch theologian Abraham Kuyper described it best when, in proclaiming Christ’s Lordship over all of life, There is not a square inch within the domain of our human existence of which the Christ, who is sovereign over all, does not say, MINE!” That’s 24/7 dude. All of life is to be lived in the service of Jesus. That’s worship!

An outstanding example of this was seen in the life of Eric Liddell, the Scottish olympian, who was also a fantastic rugby player (“Scotland’s greatest wing”) as he is portrayed in the movie “The Chariots of Fire.” Great movie- you need to watch it. It is a blessing to see a man whose life is lived by principle. It really was- Liddell was not a fictional character. He was real and he sought to serve Jesus. And those principles are based upon God’s Word.

Liddell grew up in a missionary family from Scotland which was serving in China. His sister is so concerned about her brother’s athletic ability that she believes that he will not return to China to serve the Lord. Which, shortly after, he did return to China where he served until he died in the Japanese concentration camp near the end of World War II. Fantastic story. See the movie. Even better- read the book! Or the Kindle!

OOOps back to the story. When his sister shares her concern with little brother, Eric says, as he describes the Lordship of Christ over all of life: “God made me fast, and when I run, I run for His glory.” Read 1 Peter 4:10-11.

Live your life that way. Serve Jesus in all you do. I’m old enough to remember the Bob Dylan song in which he says “you’ve got to serve somebody.” How ’bout that! It might as well be the only true and glorious king- that King whose name is Jesus! Praise His Name!

See ya!