Focusing
more on the don'ts (or the thou shall not) leaves less time to be the witness
that we are called to be…so, instead of following the path that can lead to the
practice of religious dogma let us instead take the path that leads us to a
vibrant relationship with Christ - doing what He desires that we do, what we
have been called to do, what we have been empowered to do!
It
starts with the greatest commandments - love the Lord your God with all that
you are and love your neighbor as yourself - notice they are both 'do's'…not 'don'ts'!
As
to the Lord: let us rejoice that He is the Great I Am, praising Him, giving Him
thanks and honor and glory, resting in Him, seeking after Him, trusting in Him,
walking with Him…behold your redeemer has come, your deliverer lives!
As
to the people around us (our neighbors): let us be fully grace and truth
dispensers in all facets of our lives, loving your neighbor as Christ loves
you, sharing your faith, hope and love - the whole message of this life!
And
do not be dismayed if you come up against trials and persecutions for His Word
tells us - "If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before
it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but
because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of
this the world hates you." (John 15:18-19)
Little
children, do let the love of Christ richly dwell within you.
