Working From the Verdict
“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.”Colossians 3:23–24 (KJV)
If your work has become an idol, the obvious fix seems to be working less. Fewer hours, more boundaries. That can help. But you can carry the same idol into a smaller schedule. You can work thirty hours a week and still be working for a verdict on your worth.
Paul doesn’t tell us to care less about our work. He changes who we are working for. “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.”
When you work for the Lord, the verdict is already in. You aren’t working to be accepted. You are working because you are. A greater love pushes out the lesser one.
That is why Jesus can say, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Rest isn’t only fewer hours. It is working from his verdict instead of for one.
Read it yourself
Read Colossians 3:17–24. Write down every relationship Paul mentions, and who he says we are really serving in each.
Are you working for a verdict on your worth, or from the one Christ has already given?
Lord Christ, I serve you. Let me work heartily, from your acceptance, and find rest in you. Amen.