Not DO But DONE

For many brothers and sisters in other denominations, giving something up for Lent is a practice that is taught. Here is the thing: I can make an argument for both doing it and for not doing it. Sure, giving something up for the Lenten season can be good not only for testing and training your self-discipline; it can also be a way to recognize that Jesus gave up something more precious than anything we could give up. Giving something up for Lent is a way to show appreciation for what Jesus did on the cross. It is a way to say, "If Jesus could do what he did for me, I should be able to give something up for 40 days."

Here is the other side of the Caesar coin to this argument: No matter what you do or do not do; no matter what you give up or continue to use; you salvation is not dependent on it!

Personal Disclaimer *Please read all the way through before you react to what I am about to say because it could come off the wrong way if you react too quickly.*

I want you to know something: It doesn’t matter what you DO. It doesn’t matter what you DO. What I mean is there is nothing you can DO to change the place in God’s heart you already reside in. There isn’t anything you can DO to work your way to heaven. In the Book of life, your name is not in it with a place for tally marks for everything you DO. There is nothing you can give up that will make God look at you differently. Yes, your actions on earth matter. Yes, your thoughts about yourself and others matter. Yes, your practices on earth matter. Yes, your heart and the way you love one another and the way you love God matters. What you DO doesn’t matter; what matters is what has been DONE for you. Not D-O but D-O-N-E.

Titus 3: 3-8, "At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone."

How amazing is that?! We were saved, rescued by the kindness and love of God. Our salvation is not based on any works or tasks of righteousness that we DO. Remember my statement from early about reading all the way through before you react and get mad at me? It is still in play!

Someone coming forward during an alter call isn't what saves them. For our brothers and sisters in other denominations that have specific ritual prayers, they do not save you! Baptism does not save you. How much you tithe to the church, if you tithe at all, does not save you. Whether or not you are at church every week, once a month or are Christmas and Easter Only, does not save you. What you DO doesn’t matter, it is what was DONE for you. God’s mercy and love saved each one of us when his son went to the Cross. Some of us are at points in our walk where this is something we might be able to process a little differently than other brothers and sisters and that is okay. The hard part was DONE for you. Everything past, present and future (when it comes to sin of mankind) was taken care of the day Jesus was nailed to that tree. He carried a weight that is inconceivable by any other human being. He showed the very nature of his human and divine side during this event. When he allowed himself to be crucified, he took every ounce of burden that comes with the guilt of our actions to the cross. When he was nailed to that tree, he felt alone. It was the one time we ever heard him address God as God and not Father.

Matthew 27:46, ""Eli, Eli, lemasabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”)"

If it has already been done for us, why do we need to care? When you choose to recognize the ultimate sacrifice that was made for you, you have to be ready for a change. One cannot repent if one is stuck doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results. I think there is a weird idea that repentance means just being sorry for what we did. Yes, acknowledging our wrong doing and trying to make amends is part of repentance; it is much more than that. The Greek word for repentance means to change one’s mind. When we decide to change our mind about something it will also affect our will for our life as well as our actions. When you choose to change your mind, it will change your attitude.

Knowing that Jesus took care of everything, IT IS DONE, IT IS FINISHED: How are you going to change the world through changing yourself? Sin in nothing to just laugh about and brush under the rug like a dust bunny. Sin is so serious it took the worst and most humiliating death imaginable for it to be taken care of. Change your mind about sin. Change your heart about how you see yourself; a work in progress for yours truly. It doesn’t matter what you DO, it is already DONE.

When you DO do something good in this world, I want you to ask yourself why you are doing it? Is it for you or is it for God? If you are going to DO something good, do it through faith in the name of Jesus Christ, remember what was DONE for you.