Proper Representation

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” — Colossians 3:23

Most times when we read Colossians 3:23–24, we apply it to the workplace. We use it as a reminder to work well even when the people we work with are difficult, the circumstances aren’t ideal, or we don’t feel appreciated.

And I absolutely believe it speaks to that.

But I also believe there is a lesson here about how we live as disciples of Christ.

We have to work well whether it’s our vocation or our walk with Christ. Following Jesus deserves our wholehearted commitment too.

Paul says, “Whatever you do…”

Whatever means whatever.

How we work.
How we speak.
How we treat people.
How we conduct ourselves when we’re away from home.
And yes, even what we do when no one else is watching.

It all matters because it all represents Jesus.

It is easy to make good choices when someone is watching.

Children may behave differently when their parents or teachers are in the room. Adults may conduct themselves differently when the boss walks in. We may even be a little more careful about what we say and do when we’re around our pastor or church family.

But what happens when they leave?

Who are we when there is no one around to correct us, question us, or hold us accountable?

True character is revealed by what we choose to do when no one is watching.

Or at least when we think no one is watching.

Because as followers of Jesus, we have to remember that even when people don’t see us, God does.

We shouldn’t need an audience to do what is right. We shouldn’t need applause, recognition, supervision, or the possibility of getting caught to make the right choice.

We do what is right because we want our lives to honor God.

Colossians tells us to do what we do “as unto the Lord.”

That changes everything.

When we live unto the Lord, our standard doesn’t change based on who happens to be in the room. Our character isn’t something we turn on when the right people are watching and turn off when they aren’t.

Our lives belong to Jesus wherever we are.

We also have to be careful about allowing the people around us to change who we are.

Sometimes a crowd will encourage us to talk differently, behave differently, laugh at things we shouldn’t laugh at, or participate in things we know aren’t right.

We may tell ourselves, It’s not that serious.

But it is.

Following Jesus means we don’t adjust our character to fit the crowd; we let the crowd adjust to us. 

Now, that doesn’t mean we walk around acting like we are better than anyone else. It doesn’t mean we try to control other people or force them to behave the way we do.

It means their behavior doesn’t determine ours.

We remain faithful to who God has called us to be.

And when we do, our lives can influence the atmosphere around us instead of the atmosphere influencing us.

Isn’t that part of what it means to be salt and light?

Salt changes what it touches.

Light changes the atmosphere simply by being present.

Jesus didn’t call us to blend in so well that no one can tell the difference. He called us to live in such a way that our character, choices, words, and actions make it clear that we belong to Him.

Every day, everywhere we go, we represent Jesus.

At home.
At school.
At work.
At church.
With friends.
On vacation.
Online.

And when we are completely alone.

There should never be a place where we decide, Jesus doesn’t matter here.

He matters everywhere.

Will we always get it right? Of course not. We are going to make mistakes. We are going to have moments when our behavior doesn’t represent Him as well as it should. And when that happens, we repent, receive His grace, learn from it, and keep growing.

But our desire should always be the same:

To represent Jesus well. 

May we be found doing the right thing—not simply because someone is watching, but because we know Who we represent.

May we work wholeheartedly at our jobs, but may we also live wholeheartedly in our walk with Christ.

And whether we’re at home, school, work, with friends, on vacation, in a crowd, or completely alone, may the way we live answer one important question:

Who do you represent?

May the answer always be Jesus.