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In Matthew 21:23, Jesus was asked, “By what authority doest thou these things?”  Jesus had cleansed the temple of money changers and those that sold animals (v. 12) and the chief priests and elders among the Jews wanted to know by what authority He acted.  It is a good question even though their motives were questionable.  Jesus asked them, “the baptism of John whence was it? from heaven, or of men? (v. 25).  They considered each alternative and, sensing the dilemma Jesus had put them in, refused to answer (we cannot tell).  Then, Jesus said, “neither tell I you by what authority I do these things” (v. 27).  Of course, Jesus knew that He acted by the authority intrinsic to His identity as the Son of God.
Jesus Christ is the Son of God!  He is the savior of the world.  He is sovereign.  He is the Lord Jesus Christ.  His sovereignty and His Lordship are the basis for the authority principle stated by Paul in Col. 3:16-17.  “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.  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.”
The Authority Principle Declared
The word “whatsoever” (ti ean) indicates that God is concerned about every word and deed of our lives down to the minute details.  Nothing falls outside of the umbrella of the Lordship of Jesus Christ.  “Ye” is plural and refers to the Christians at Colosse to whom Paul writes.  However, in application, it refers to every New Testament Christian.  Once we become a Christian, our whole life falls under the sovereignty and Lordship of Jesus Christ.  The word “do” (poieo) indicates every action.  Paul then divides this general concept into two specific areas: word and deed.  The word “say) (lego) indicates all verbal communication.  Some communication is forbidden by Jesus Christ to Christians.  In Eph. 4:29,30, Paul mentions “corrupt communication.”  Corrupt communication is sinful and is exemplified by: lying, profanity, gossiping, some oaths, and false doctrine or teaching.  Corrupt communication grieves the Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:30).  Some speech is commended by Paul such as “edification” or that which is positive and builds up such as: speaking the truth, words of encouragement, exhortation, and instruction in righteousness.  The word “do” (ergos) refers to all actions including but not limited to: treatment of others, the way we handle our money, what we do with our time, what we watch on television or the internet, what we do in recreation, and how we behave at work or at home.  The words “do all” indicates fullness of consecration to God.  When we become Christians, we present our bodies as a living sacrifice unto the Lord (Rom. 12:1-2).  We are “all in” or 100 per cent committed to following the will of the Lord Jesus Christ.  The phrase “in the name of the Lord Jesus” indicates that everything we say and do must be in harmony with the will of the Lord Jesus and for His glory.  Paul refers to Jesus as “Lord.”  Jesus said, “Why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say” (Luke 6:46).  Jesus demands more than lip service from His followers.  He demands conformity to His will.  The word “Lord” is a reference to the sovereignty of Jesus due to the fact that He is the Son of God.  He possesses all authority (Matt. 28:18).  New Testament Christians live under His scrutiny and His jurisdiction no matter what they may be be doing or where they may be doing it.  And, all will be brought into judgment before Him in the last day (Acts 17:31, II Cor. 5:10).  That judgment will be based upon the righteous standard of His Word (John 12:48).  Consequently, everything that a Christian does must be done by the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ.  This eliminates compartmentalization of one’s life where we follow Jesus on Sunday, but we do whatever we want the rest of the week.  The authority of Jesus Christ is expressed in His Word (Col. 3:16).  Paul commands that Christians let the word of Christ dwell in them richly in all wisdom.  The Word of God contains the mind of God as it is revealed to the mind of men and women.  The Word of God contains the wisdom from above.  It contains the words of life.  It contains the knowledge of the sacred that repudiates the profane.
The Authority Principle Applied
The Christian life is completely under the guidance of the Lord Jesus Christ.  No area is omitted.  Consider the following passages that touch on various areas of the Christian life.  First, we assemble together in His name (Matt. 18:20; I Cor. 5:4).  We proclaim repentance in His name (Luke 24:47).  Third, we believe on His name (John 1:12; I John 5:13).  Fourth, we pray in His name (John 14:14).  Then, we speak in His Name (Acts 9:27 -preaching).  Sixth, we are justified in His name (I Cor. 6:11).  Seventh, we are baptized into His name (Matt. 28:19; Acts 2:38).  Finally, we give thanks in His name (Eph. 5:20).  Every Christian wears the name of Christ (I Pet. 4:14-16).  We are called by that name because everything we are and do is attributable to the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.  We do all in His name to His glory.  If we do not act in His name, our actions are not to His glory.  “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name and in thy name have cast out devils and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matt. 7:21-23).  Lip service to the Lord will never result in a heavenly abode.  Only those who live obediently to the Lord’s Will, out of love and faith in Him, will have the hope of everlasting life (Luke 6:46).  If Jesus is Lord, then, we must live obediently to His will at all times.