Don’t do this. Don’t do that.
I think there has been a misconception about the Christian life for a long time. Probably from the beginning. There is a thinking, a misunderstanding really, that the Christian life is restrictive. A life full of don’ts: “Don’t do this” and “Don’t do that.” Those who think this way, may think that our goal is to restrict ourselves and restrict others, well, just because.
Certainly, God has provided us with boundaries to guide our lives. These result in holy living that sets us apart from the world. This “holy living” is not for the purpose of creating a group of people who are “holier than thou.” Unfortunately, some may have this sort of attitude to their shame. Rather, living differently is intended to bring honor to God and draw others to Him.
Not only that, these boundaries are for our benefit: Paul says “’I have the right to do anything,’ you say—but not everything is beneficial. ‘I have the right to do anything’—but I will not be mastered by anything” (1 Cor 6:12). God restricts us not just because He can, but because He knows what is best for us. Just as a loving parent restricts a child to protect them so God protects us by giving us boundaries. And, even when we don’t see it or agree, it is still true: God loves us and wants the best for us.
Even so, God calls us to more than just following the rules. The Christian life is more than just not doing certain things to stay out of trouble. Yes, God protects us with restrictions, but He wants more than that from us. He wants our faith to be active. In fact, I would say living the way that God wants us to is more about the “do’s” than the “don’ts.”
When we see what the Bible teaches, we can’t ignore that our faith is to be acted out in action. And this action is to have an impact on all those around us. We seek the good. We are to actively pursue doing good. We can’t take this call lightly, either. James writes, “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them” (Jms 4:17).
I find it interesting that James writes these words as he instructs about planning and boasting about tomorrow. (see James 4:13-17). It seems as if he is pointing out that our priorities are just messed up. We spend our time planning for our success in the future and, by the way, taking pride in it rather than laying it in God’s hands. Instead, shouldn’t we be more concerned with what good we are doing? What are we doing right now that is good?
James also points out what “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is.” He says it is to “look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world” (Jms 1:27). Our “religion” is to be more than just going to church on Sunday. God wants us to actively help others. And to do it in His name.
And, again, the context is interesting. Just prior to this, James writes, “Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless” (Jms 1:26). If I were to quickly paraphrase the idea, I’d say something like, “quit talking so much and do something.”
Of course, this idea of doing good is not new. It has always been what God has called us to do. In both The Old Testament and The New Testament. God praised King Josiah, through Jeremiah the prophet, saying, “He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to know me?” (Jer 22:16) Did you catch the important question tucked in this verse? “Is that not what it means to know me?” This is serious stuff! Can we claim to even know God if we aren’t doing good for others?
Why should we love others? Why should we do good? Because we are commanded to? Certainly! But more than that. “We love because He first loved us” (1 Jhn 4:19). Loving others and doing good to them is a response to God’s love for us. It is as simple as that. If we don’t respond to God’s love in this way, we have to ask if we really understand God’s love at all. John makes this clear as he continues, ”Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister” (Jhn 4:20-21).
So, we have to ask ourselves, “is my faith real?” Do we really love God? Do we show it through our actions toward others? Is our love for God seen in our care for the poor and the needy? Do we reach out to the distressed, both physically and emotionally, in the name of Jesus? Do we just talk? Or, does our faith make a difference in the world around us?
Are we just following the rules? Calling ourselves righteous because we “don’t do this” and we “don’t do that.” Instead, “Do” something good today.
Dave Foucar has a passion for teaching God’s word. His first book, “What Do I Say When Asked About Jesus?” is a conversational approach to helping people answer questions about Jesus. The book provides a layman’s perspective on personal evangelism and the basics of the Christian faith. Dave has been married for thirty-six years to the love of his life, Debbie. They have three daughters, two sons-in-law, and two granddaughters. To read more of David’s writing visit his Substack page.
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
God is Principle. So expect Do’s and Don’ts.
The Scipture says only those who are holy will enter the Kingdom of God. This means even that neglace you put on may fail you from joining the kingdom