Dos and Don’ts are not options when the source and authority is the Lord and His Word. We aren’t even asked to ‘like’ the do/don’t. They are … are’s. And if you noticed, they are also rather blatant – you really can’t say you don’t understand. They say what they say. Granted, you may not know all the whys and other understandings that occasioned the ‘do’ or ‘don’t’, but the command is not in doubt. Our only choice is to obey and follow them. But… it is our choice. We will reap either way… it’s just that not to obey puts us in an untenable position.
There are no ‘sides’ or fences in these – you are either following or not. There is no hint in a ‘do’ or a ‘don’t’ that it is negotiable. And ignoring doesn’t work either. Why do we have so many problems following? We know better? Hardly. Whatever the Lord requires of us, look at all He’s done for us… is it too much to ask that we follow, especially since He is trying to keep us safe? And again, it is an either/or and it is our decision. But I don’t see how you can say you are a Christian if you aren’t following the Christian principles. Jesus makes this plain:
“If you abide in My word [continually obeying My teachings and living in accordance with them, then] you are truly My disciples. And you will know the truth [regarding salvation], and the truth will set you free [from the penalty of sin].” (John 8:31-32, AMP)
Let’s be honest… the only time it truly gets dicey is when the issue is one that hits close to home. A friend or family member is at odds with a particular issue or you’ve been a fence sitter but are now in a position that you have to decide where you stand. Why does it seem so difficult? Hate conflict? Dislike any disputes? Not the point. The issue truly is one of whether or not we will Stand. Will we follow the precepts set by the Lord?
In my world of definitions, there is a difference between unintentionally and deliberate sinning. However, when the light of truth is revealed, then there is only the choice of repenting and being restored or consciously/purposely continuing in opposition.
“For if we go on willfully and deliberately sinning after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice [to atone] for our sins [that is, no further offering to anticipate], but a kind of awful and terrifying expectation of [divine] judgment and the fury of a fire and burning wrath which will consume the adversaries [those who put themselves in opposition to God].” (Hebrews 10: 26-27, AMP)
The Message Bible presents this same information far more dramatically and frighteningly – there’s absolutely no room for ‘misunderstanding’:
“If we give up and turn our backs on all we’ve learned, all we’ve been given, all the truth we now know, we repudiate Christ’s sacrifice and are left on our own to face the Judgment—and a mighty fierce judgment it will be! If the penalty for breaking the law of Moses is physical death, what do you think will happen if you turn on God’s Son, spit on the sacrifice that made you whole, and insult this most gracious Spirit? This is no light matter. God has warned us that he’ll hold us to account and make us pay. He was quite explicit: “Vengeance is mine, and I won’t overlook a thing” and “God will judge his people.” Nobody’s getting by with anything, believe me.”
Whenever we take a stand contrary to the Lord’s principles and standards, we are putting ourselves above Him. We are also telling Him, He’s wrong! If, in the process of our actions, we mislead another person, then the penalty is even graver but both separate us from our source, from the one who purchased us, from Him who gave His life for us so that we could live an abundant life. This can’t be tolerated. And what actually do we gain by trying to do the things that separate us from the one who gave everything to purchase our freedom?
Dos and Don’ts are our guides, designed to help us. But they also are principles and standards that won’t be changed. God tells us that He changes not (Malachi 3:6). So what is true today, was true over 2000 years ago and will still be true 2000 years from today.
