Colossians 3:17
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.

"And whatsoever ye do"
Nothing is left out here.  The word "whatsoever" is rendered from three Greek words: "pas hostis ean"  These words together carry the meaning of "all any ever" so no act of man is omitted from consideration here. 

"in word or deed"
Regardless of whether this is a verbal action such as instructing or communicating with someone, or a physical action, nothing is left out.  

"do all" 
Nothing is excluded here.  There is no act of man in word or deed omitted from this directive, particularly in service to God, but by inference, what we do as Christians in the normal course of day to day living should be included in this as well.  Specifically, this would be in relation to personal morality and conduct, worship to God and the entirety of thought and action. 

"in the name of the Lord Jesus"

When one acts in the name of someone, they invoke that individual's authority as justification for their actions.  Whatever one does in the name of another is thereby acting on or by His authority.  When Peter healed the lame man at the gate called beautiful in Jerusalem and was called before Annas the Jewish High Priest, he was asked, "By what power, or by what name , have ye done this?" (Acts 4:7).  Peter's response was "by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth" (Acts 4:10).  Peter invoked the authority of Jesus Christ when he named Him as the one by whom they had acted.   

What it means to act in the name of Jesus is to act under His authority or by His authority, with His permission and with His approval.  Therefore whatsoever we do in conduct, worship to God, or in our Christian life must be in His name, thereby operating under and submitting to His authority. 

To engage in an act for which there is no authorization is to usurp the authority of Christ.  Notice when Peter addressed Annas, the High Priest, He gave the glory for the healing of the lame man to Christ.  If Peter had claimed this power for his own he would have claimed something by word for which he did not have the power to do himself.  Peter could not heal anybody of his own power.  He had to do this in the name of, or, by the authority of Jesus Christ. 

Jesus has all authority, "For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities , or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist" (Colossians 1:16-17).

When the Christian acts, they must seek the proper authority either explicit or implied for their actions if they are to act in the name of Jesus Christ.  When someone goes beyond what is authorized, they have done something outside the limits of their authority and are acting on their own.  They can no longer invoke the name of Jesus Christ because they have gone beyond the limits of their authority.

Never going beyond what is authorized is the only way the Christian can be absolutely sure of not going about trying to establish their own righteousness (Romans 10:3), or going too far and abiding not in the doctrine of Christ (2 John 9), or thinking above what was written (1 Corinthians 4:6), or teaching for doctrine the commandments of men (Matthew 15:9, Mark 7:7).

Matthew 15:8-9
"This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.  But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men."
 

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