The Authority of His Name

“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.” — Colossians 3:17

Introduction – The Signature of a Saint

A man’s name is his signature; Christ’s name is His authority. Paul writes to the church at Colossae — a congregation threatened by false philosophy and religious mixture. He reminds them that their identity, authority, and accountability are all wrapped up in one sacred phrase: “in the name of the Lord Jesus.”

This statement is not a ceremonial closing line for prayer, nor a spiritual slogan for moral living. It is a declaration of jurisdiction — that every word and every deed of the believer must fall under the governing rule of Christ. To act “in His name” is to represent His person, to carry His reputation, and to operate under His inspection.

The believer has no independent authority. Every word uttered and every act performed either honours His name or harms it.

I. The Meaning of His Name

In Scripture, a name is more than identification — it is representation. The name of the Lord reveals His nature. To speak or act “in the name of Jesus” means to live and labour consistent with His character.

Proverbs 18:10 declares, “The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” His name is both refuge and responsibility — a shelter to those who trust and a standard to those who serve.

Acts 4:12 adds, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” His name saves; therefore His name must sanctify. The one who was redeemed by His authority must now live under His authority.

To claim His name is to carry His testimony. The early church understood this clearly. They faced imprisonment and death not merely for believing in Christ, but for acting in His name. The name of Jesus was their licence and their liability.

II. The Mandate of Representation

Paul writes, “Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.” That word whatsoever demolishes division. No aspect of life is secular to the saint. Speech and service, conduct and conversation — all are bound by Christ’s reputation.

2 Corinthians 5:20 declares, “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ.” The ambassador speaks not his own mind but his master’s will. The Christian carries the King’s message in every interaction.

The believer’s life is a living letter signed by Christ Himself. When others read your conduct, they are reading your theology.

Philippians 2:9–11 magnifies the exclusivity of His name: “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name.” To live in that name is to live under divine supervision.

To act apart from His authority is rebellion; to act under His authority is worship. Every conversation, every transaction, every decision must carry this question: Does this honour the name I bear?

Spurgeon wrote, “The name of Jesus is the sum total of all delights; it is the music with which the bells of heaven ring.” If His name is holy in heaven, it must not be hollow on earth.

III. The Discipline of Speech

Paul’s inclusion of “word” is deliberate. Words reveal allegiance. The believer’s vocabulary is either an echo of heaven or an instrument of the flesh.

Ephesians 4:29 commands, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying.” Corrupt speech stains the name of Christ. Every word either builds or breaks His witness.

Matthew 12:36 intensifies this truth: “Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” The believer who understands he will answer for his words will measure them by Scripture.

Your speech reveals your source. A man who walks in the Spirit speaks with grace; a man who walks in the flesh speaks with pride. The mouth is the microphone of the heart.

Baptist preacher Vance Havner said, “What’s down in the well will come up in the bucket.” If Christ rules the heart, His name will govern the tongue.

IV. The Discipline of Deeds

Paul adds, “or deed.” Words without works are hypocrisy. The name of Christ demands visible conduct consistent with verbal confession.

James 2:17 warns, “Faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” The name of Jesus must be visible in daily labour, not just audible in public prayer.

1 John 2:6 states, “He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” To act in His name is to mirror His manner — humility, obedience, purity, and truth.

When Paul writes to slaves and masters in Colossians 3:23, he continues the same theme: “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” The lowest servant, when working under Christ’s authority, is engaged in holy labour.

Every act done in His name becomes sacred — changing a child’s nappy, sweeping a floor, preaching a sermon — all become instruments of worship when governed by His Lordship.

Charles Spurgeon said, “If we cannot serve God in the kitchen, we shall not serve Him in the pulpit.” The authority of His name must govern both the hidden and the heralded.

V. The Attitude of Gratitude

Paul concludes: “giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” Gratitude is the guardian of godliness. Thanksgiving prevents pride and purifies motive.

Psalm 34:1 declares, “I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Praise must be perpetual, not situational. The believer who acts in Christ’s name without thanksgiving becomes a labourer without joy.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 commands, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”Thanksgiving is not conditional upon comfort; it is commanded as lifestyle.

A thankful heart acknowledges dependence. It remembers that every opportunity, every success, and every breath comes through Christ. Gratitude keeps the heart aligned with grace.

When thankfulness departs, self takes the throne. Gratitude dethrones man and re-crowns Christ.

VI. The Consequence of Representation

To live in the name of Christ is both privilege and pressure. Privilege, because you carry the highest identity; pressure, because you represent the holiest Name.

Romans 2:24 gives a sobering warning: “For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you.”Hypocrisy in the believer damages the testimony of Christ. To bear His name falsely is to betray His holiness publicly.

Conversely, when a believer lives faithfully under His name, the world beholds His glory. Matthew 5:16 reminds us, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

The consistency of your life either adorns the gospel or discredits it. You are the visible evidence of an invisible God.

Spurgeon captured the gravity: “A man cannot bear the name of Jesus and live in sin without dragging that name through the mire.” The authority of His name demands the authenticity of your life.

Conclusion – The Standard of His Name

The believer’s life must be lived under one governing law — the authority of Jesus Christ. His name defines the boundaries, directs the motives, and determines the methods of every true disciple.

To act “in the name of the Lord Jesus” is to live under His ownership, speak under His direction, and serve under His dominion. You are His representative in a rebellious world — His ambassador in a foreign land.

Every action is an opportunity to either magnify or mar that sacred name. Live as though the honour of heaven depends upon your conduct — because, in this age of witness, it does.

To act in His name is to live under His inspection. Representation is responsibility — the name you bear must govern the life you live.