Do vs. Done

OK, on a more serious note. I can't take credit for this, I listen to a podcast for a program called 'The White Horse Inn'. It's 2 presbyterians, a lutheran and a baptist talking about the church. It's interesting if your into that stuff, and I am.

Anyway, I listen while I jog (aren't I healthy). Today I was struck by this quote.

"The law is what God commands. The gospel is what God gives. God gives in the gospel what he commands in the law."

We as Christians tell people to 'love your neighbor' and the world will be a better place, or if we just vote a certain way or pray a certain prayer then our lives will be better. If we will just have more faith or be more obedient then we will be happier. When we say these thing we miss the point complete. We are telling ourselves to DO and when we do that we are not different from any religion. All religions have good advice about what to DO to be better, happier, etc.

When we talk like this we are just reiterating the old testament law. Jesus told us that the law was summarized in two points "Love God, Love Your Neighbor." But it's still the law, and you know what we can't DO it very well.

The Gospel is the story of Jesus. It is already DONE. He came and obeyed the law in our place, then took the punishment for our sin, and gives us the reward He earned by his obedience. What a gift! That is truely good news.

Stop trying to DO and embrace what He has DONE.

Here is the program if you want to listen.
Good News vs. Good Advice