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NASB | Colossians 3:17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Colossians 3:17 Whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus [and in dependence on Him], giving thanks to God the Father through Him. |
Subject: Ending prayers in Jesus Nane. |
Bible Note: Dear kalos, Greetings in Jesus' name! As one of the most blatant 'offenders' on this forum, I must say that I disagree with several points brought up by Gregory Koukl. "It doesn't take a rocket scientist to draw the conclusion that we are, first, to pray in the name of Jesus, and second, praying in the name of Jesus doesn't mean ending your prayer with the phrase "In the name of Jesus. Amen,"" Rocket science never brought us to Christ, either! Indeed, I have seen 'meaningless repetition' of the name of the Lord. In one single prayer, Jesus, Lord, Holy Spirit, Father, and just about every name of our God is invoked repetitively, so much so that you don't even know what is being prayed for! I find this to be 'using the name of the Lord in vain.' However, to find 'fault' with calling upon the name of the Lord, and then ending your petition, your communication with God, in His name is, frankly, offensive to me. The Word does not give us 'canned' prayers that we are to follow exactly. Jesus would not end His prayers in His own name. The apostles and other writers of the New Testament proclaimed the efficacy of the name of the Lord. To state that it "might even be hurting your prayer" is one of the more foolish statements I have come across. If it is 'just a phrase,' this might be so, but to discourage the utterance of the name of the Lord Jesus is irresponsible, as it denies those weak in faith the one Name that could help them to understand better. What he is, in effect, saying is that unless you have perfect understanding of this name, you cannot use it. So, where do we get this 'perfect understanding?' Academically? Through Gregory Koukl? NO! We come to an understanding of God by calling upon His holy name, and the Holy Spirit is faithful to hear the cry of our hearts! Yes, we need balance in our prayers! But this fellow has just taken the pendulum swing to 'opposite lock!' Blessings, my friend, and my fellow saints in Christ Jesus, charis |