To think on later...

Many Christians think of themselves in terms of what they DON'T do: Don't drink, don't party, don't do drugs, cheat on spouse, steal, cuss, lie...etc.

It is interesting to me that the two commandments that Jesus says are most important (Love the Lord w/ all heart, soul, mind, strength/love neighbor as self) and the "new" command (Love each other)- are in regard to what we DO.

A list of "don'ts" is old news- The 613 or so commandments in the law, they were pretty much about don'ts, save the ones I mentioned and maybe a few others, like, do wear tassels and junk. But DON'T cut the hair on the sides of your face. And DON'T eat pigs. Lotsa Don'ts.

But Jesus started something new. It's almost like He's saying, you've gotten the DON'Ts. You should know better by now that it's impossible, and you've gotta count on me to be your redemption. Period.

Now, what is important is the DO. DO DO DO DO DO DO. What are we supposed to be DOING?

Today's Christian congregations focus way to much on the DON'Ts, and we think it's enough. Christianity is defined way to much by the DON'Ts, and it is giving the wrong impression. Been there, done that. If you are a Christian, you should KNOW the DON'Ts, and you should grow and learn to trust in the Spirit enough that you've got that part down. And, I'm not saying we'll be perfect...obviously there will be slip-ups. Big and small. However, my point is this: It's time for the American church to be a DOING church. DOING the work our Lord has prepared for us in advance, DOING the Will of our Lord as we are seriously supposed to be doing. And I say serious because it's eternally serious. "Not all who say to me, Lord! Lord! will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but ONLY THOSE WHO DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO THE WILL OF MY FATHER IN HEAVEN. DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

Time to DO, folks. Time to DO.