Latin is a dead language for most people. Yet not too long ago it was taught as an elective in many of our secondary schools. I recall my own struggles to read Caesar and Cicero. But now it's rare to find anyone, except some members of the clergy, who has studied that ancient tongue. At best we can understand a few of the phrases that are still in common use like anno Domini (abbreviated as AD), "in the year of the Lord."

It would be spiritually helpful, though, if we followed the example of musical genius Johann Sebastian Bach. Often at the bottom of a manuscript he would write the letters INDNJC, standing for the Latin words In Nomine Domini Nostri Jesu Christi, "In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

We aren't geniuses composing timeless music. We are just ordinary people engaged in routine activities. Yet everything we do ought to be done INDNJC. If we're homemakers, we can prepare meals and wash dishes INDNJC. If we're teachers, we can prepare lessons and grade papers INDNJC. If we're builders, we can cut wood and drive nails INDNJC.

Let's carry out Paul's directive in Colossians 3:17, "Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus."  — Vernon C. Grounds