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Doing Everything as Unto the Lord in Daily Life

The concept of "doing everything as unto the Lord" encapsulates the Christian understanding that all aspects of life, whether sacred or secular, should be performed with a conscious awareness of God's presence and for His glory. This principle is rooted in biblical teachings that call believers to live a life of holiness and righteousness before God [3].

The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Colossians, encourages believers to "walk worthy of the Lord, unto all pleasing" [8]. This means conducting oneself in a manner suitable to one's Christian profession, demonstrating holy doctrines through a holy and useful life [8]. Adam Clarke interprets "unto all pleasing" as doing everything in the best manner, at the most proper time, and with a becoming spirit, emphasizing that even good works can be marred if done improperly or with a grieving spirit [8]. This perspective extends to all actions, suggesting that the quality and intention behind an act are as important as the act itself.

The idea of living "unto the Lord" is deeply connected to the concept of union with Christ. Scripture describes this union as Christ being in believers and believers being in Christ [5]. This intimate connection means that believers are to live to Christ [6], and their lives are to be characterized by obedience to Him [6]. John Gill, commenting on Proverbs 16:3, advises believers to "commit thy works unto the Lord," seeking His strength and assistance in all endeavors—natural, civil, or religious—and leaving the success to Him [12]. This involves rolling all burdens and cares onto God, trusting Him with the salvation of one's soul and the affairs of life [12].

The biblical foundation for this holistic approach to life is evident in various passages. Deuteronomy 30:20 suggests that "life consists of absolute commitment to the Lord" [7]. This commitment is not limited to specific religious rituals but permeates all of existence. The Apostle Peter instructs believers to "submit yourselves unto every human creation, for the Lord’s sake" [1, 4]. This includes submission to governing authorities, indicating that even civic duties are to be performed with an awareness of God's sovereignty and for His purposes [1, 4].

The expectation that every knee will bow and every tongue will confess to God, as stated in Romans 14:11 and echoed in Philippians 2:10-11, underscores the ultimate authority of Christ [2, 9, 10]. While this future acknowledgment does not imply universal salvation, it highlights that all creation will eventually recognize Jesus as Lord [9, 10]. This eschatological vision informs the present call for believers to live in submission and devotion to Him in all things.

Living "unto the Lord" also implies a life of Christian conduct that includes believing God, fearing Him, loving Him, following Him, and obeying Him [6]. It means rejoicing in God and believing in, loving, and following the example of Christ [6]. This conduct is not merely external but involves the heart, as Adam Clarke notes on 1 Samuel 12:24, urging believers to serve God "with all your heart," engaging every affection in obedience and acting from a pious, affectionate sense of obligation [14].

The concept of "God all in all" (1 Corinthians 15:28) further illustrates the comprehensive nature of this devotion [11]. Just as Christ is "all in all" (Colossians 3:11), so too will God ultimately be recognized as the ultimate reality and purpose behind all things [11]. This theological truth provides a framework for understanding that every action, no matter how mundane, can be consecrated to God.

The life of a believer, therefore, is not compartmentalized into sacred and secular spheres. Instead, all activities—work, relationships, leisure, and civic engagement—are opportunities to express devotion to God. This perspective transforms ordinary tasks into acts of worship, as they are performed with the intention of honoring God and furthering His kingdom. The motivation for such a life stems from the understanding that believers live "because of" Christ, just as Christ lives "because of the Father" [13]. This intimate relationship with God through Christ provides the impetus and the power to live a life wholly dedicated to Him.

Sources

  1. I Peter “I Peter 2:13 (Rotherham) — Submit yourselves unto every human creation, for the Lord’s sake,—whether unto a king, as one that protecteth,”
  2. Romans “For it is written, “‘As I live,’ says the Lord, ‘to me every knee will bow. Every tongue will confess to God.’” -- Romans 14:11”
  3. Luke “Luke 1:75 (YLT) — To serve Him, in holiness and righteousness Before Him, all the days of our life.”
  4. King James Version “[KJV] 1 Peter 2:13 — Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Union With Christ — As Head of the Church -- Eph 1:22,23; 4:15,16; Col 1:18. Christ prayed that all saints might have -- Joh 17:21,23. Described as Christ being in us. -- Eph 3:17; Col 1:27. Our being in Christ. -- 2Co 12:2; 1Jo 5:20. Includes union with the Father -- Joh 17:21; 1Jo 2:24. Is of God -- 1Co 1:30. Maintained by Faith. -- Ga 2:20; Eph 3:17. Abiding in him. -- Joh 15:4,7. His word abiding in us. -- Joh 15:7; 1Jo 2:24; 2Jo 1:9. Feeding on him. -- Joh 6:56. Obeying him. -- 1Jo 3:24. The Holy Spirit witnesses -- 1Jo 3:24. The gift of the Holy Spirit is an ev”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Conduct, Christian — Believing God -- Mr 11:22; Joh 14:11,12. Fearing God -- Ec 12:13; 1Pe 2:17. Loving God -- De 6:5; Mt 22:37. Following God -- Eph 5:1; 1Pe 1:15,16. Obeying God -- Lu 1:6; 1Jo 5:3. Rejoicing in God -- Ps 33:1; Hab 3:18. Believing in Christ -- Joh 6:29; 1Jo 3:23. Loving Christ -- Joh 21:15; 1Pe 1:7,8. Following the example of Christ -- Joh 13:15; 1Pe 2:21-24. Obeying Christ -- Joh 14:21; 15:14. Living To Christ. -- Ro 14:8; 2Co 5:15. To righteousness. -- Mic 6:8; Ro 6:18; 1Pe 2:24. Soberly, righteously, and godly. -- Tit 2:12. Walking Honestly. -- 1”
  7. Deuteronomy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Deuteronomy 30:20: 30:20 the key to your life: In its most meaningful sense, life consists of absolute commitment to the Lord.”
  8. Colossians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Colossians 1:10: That ye might walk worthy of the Lord - Suitably to your Christian profession, exemplifying its holy doctrines by a holy and useful life. See the notes on Eph 4:1; and on Phi 1:27 (note). Unto all pleasing - Doing every thing in the best manner, in the most proper time, and in a becoming spirit. Even a good work may be marred and rendered fruitless by being done improperly, out of season, or in a temper of mind that grieves the Holy Spirit. Being fruitful in every good work - See on Col 1:6 (note). St. Paul exhorts the Christians at Colosse, 1. To walk - to be a”
  9. Phil (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Phil 2:10: 2:10-11 The entire creation, including spiritual powers and angels, humans on earth, and those who have died, will one day acknowledge the authority of Jesus Christ as Lord (see Eph 1:9-10, 21; Col 1:20-25; 1 Pet 3:22). • every tongue declare (cp. Isa 45:23; Rom 14:11): This does not imply universal salvation, because not all will confess him as Lord freely out of love and devotion. • Lord, a divine title representing the Old Testament name Yahweh, is frequently applied to Jesus in the New Testament.”
  10. Philippians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Philippians 2:10: 2:10-11 The entire creation, including spiritual powers and angels, humans on earth, and those who have died, will one day acknowledge the authority of Jesus Christ as Lord (see Eph 1:9-10, 21; Col 1:20-25; 1 Pet 3:22). • every tongue declare (cp. Isa 45:23; Rom 14:11): This does not imply universal salvation, because not all will confess him as Lord freely out of love and devotion. • Lord, a divine title representing the Old Testament name Yahweh, is frequently applied to Jesus in the New Testament.”
  11. 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 15:28: Son . . . himself . . . subject--not as the creatures are, but as a Son voluntarily subordinate to, though co-equal with, the Father. In the mediatorial kingdom, the Son had been, in a manner, distinct from the Father. Now, His kingdom shall merge in the Father's, with whom He is one; not that there is thus any derogation from His honor; for the Father Himself wills "that all should honor the Son, as they honor the Father" (Joh 5:22-23; Heb 1:6). God . . . all in all--as Christ is all in all (Col 3:11; compare Zac 14:9). Then, and not till th”
  12. Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 16:3: Commit thy works unto the Lord,.... Natural, civil, or religious; seek to him for strength and assistance in all, and leave the success of all with him: or "roll thy works on" or "unto the Lord" (b); devolve all upon him, cast all care upon him and his providence for supply, support, and sustenance in life; and commit the business of the salvation of thy soul, and the important affairs of it, wholly to him, who is able, willing, and faithful, to keep what is committed to him; and, having so done, may sit down easy and satisfied, as one that is rid of a burden by cas”
  13. John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on John 6:57: As the living Father hath sent me--to communicate His own life. and I live by the Father--literally, "because of the Father"; My life and His being one, but Mine that of a Son, whose it is to be "of the Father." (See Joh 1:18; Joh 5:26). he that eateth me, . . . shall live by me--literally, "because of Me." So that though one spiritual life with Him, "the Head of every man is Christ, as the head of Christ is God" (Co1 11:3; Co1 3:23).”
  14. 1 Samuel (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Samuel 12:24: Only fear the Lord - Know, respect, and reverence him. Serve him - Consider him your Lord and Master; consider yourselves his servants. In truth - Be ever honest, ever sincere; with all your heart - have every affection engaged in the work of obedience; act not merely from a principle of duty, but also from a pious, affectionate sense of obligation. Act towards your God as an affectionate child should act towards a tender and loving parent. Consider how great things - Review the history of your fathers, review your own life; see what interpositions of power, merc”
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