Heartily for Him

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God... And let the peace of God rule in your hearts… Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom… And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him…  And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men” (Colossians 3:1-23). 

Whatever we’re doing in a word or in deed,

We ought to do all in the name of our Savior. 

There’s no higher calling or motive we need

To challenge our hearts and to change our behavior.

Let this be the calling to which we aspire.

Let this be the peace that will rule in our hearts.

Let this be the Word that will lift us still higher,

So we may be strengthened by grace He imparts.

Now all that we do, we should heartily do

For Him who has laid down His life for our souls.

Let this be the singular prize we pursue;

Let this be our purpose of heart that controls.

It’s not to please others or bolster our pride

That prompts us to set our affections above.

It’s calling to mind why our Lord Jesus died

And living a life in response to His love.

Revive us, O Lord, yet again and again,

To live with a passion exceeding mere duty.

We wouldn’t be living to merely please men:

How dull are these objects compared to Your beauty!

So lift us, O Lord, with a pure motivation,

With hearts that are full of thanksgiving and praise

As we are revived with renewed consecration,

Constrained by Your love for the rest of our days.