<h2>Part Three: Something's not right....</h2>

This should be the last part of a Part Two series. :) (at least it was suppose to be only a Two Part-er) :) I want to clarify one main point. Man's duty. I believe I minimized "Man's Duty" a little too much. You see the Gospel doesn't let us push aside man's duty. Here's the thing. When we keep focusing on what we need to do, do, do, we begin to think "I didn't do that quite right" or "I need to do better next time" or "I'm a failure because I can't do it right/completely/etc..." That is a wrong mind set to be in. It's a downward spiral. Let me explain. When we focus on Christ and what He has done (in our place - Living a perfect life, fulfilling the law completely/fully/perfectly in every point, dying, being separated from the Father, etc...) then our duty has already been fulfilled. Right? I know what you're thinking, but please read on before you pass on your sentence of condemnation on me :) Since Christ has already fulfilled what our duty should be, what is left for us? What is left is us "feeding on the Gospel", "feeding on what Christ has done in our stead" What does Philippians 4 say? "Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved." Feed on the Gospel. Stand fast in the Lord. Does it say "do your duty" ? no Phil. 4 goes on to say: "Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice." It does not say "rejoice in your good works alway: and again I say, rejoice." Where should our focus be? on God! Which is why Phil. 4 also says, "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." ok - now how does Duty come into play? "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you." When we focus on Christ and what He did for us (in our place), our duty will be a joyful action of worship to our God. Look at the "whatsoever things are..." and think of what that is talking about. Or better stated, "Who is it talking about? Christ is the Only One Who is "true", Christ is the Only One Who is "honest", Christ is the Only One Who is "just", Christ is the Only One Who is "pure", Christ is the Only One Who is "lovely", Christ is the Only One Who is "of good report", Christ is the Only One Who is "virture", and if there be any praise (b/c Christ is all of these things - and more - in our place, "think on these things." Think on Christ! Now what does I Cor. 10:31 say? "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." In other words, make all you do as worship to God! What is worship? Worship is the outpouring of our gratitude to God for what He has done. Our songs are a way to worship God. Our actions are a way to worship God. Our words are a way to worship God. Does that make sense? Our "duty" is the "caboose" - not our worship of God. We normally think - "I need to do, do, do" and the thing is we don't need to "do, do, do". We need to focus on Christ and our "do, do, do" will be an outpouring (caboose) of our gratitude for what Christ has done. The command to do is not just a duty, but a joy! ok - let me be up front, frank, abrupt, etc... If we are focusing on our "do, do, do" for God, we have a shallow faith. We have a "new born" faith. We don't understand that when our "do, do, do" is the caboose (our doing is as the outpouring of worship), it does not matter how well we do it because we already have the affection and full acceptance of the Father. Otherwise, if our "do, do, do" is the focus, we think our doing is worthless, but in actuality, when we "do, do, do" as worship we realize God accepts us regardless of how or how well we "do". Why would you focus on your "do, do, do"? To gain acceptance of people? of our peers? of our church leaders? of our children? To make you feel good? To make yourself look spiritual? What motivated you to "do, do, do"? You see, when our "do, do, do" is an outpouring worship to our God, we have joy in doing whatever it is we are to do. Otherwise, when it's only based on duty, we fall into the trap that "I'm not doing it right." Don't get me wrong, we should do our best and do it as complete as possible, but don't let the lack of completeness or lack of a superb job (instead of a good job) stop us. Because we have the full acceptance of the Father - what other acceptance do we need? I hope this clarifies/clears up things. I think I might tackle "Far" and "Near" idols next. Stay tuned.