January/February 2002
Religious Do-Do
by Roger Himes
God intends Christianity to be a joy, but the way it is usually presented, it is just another job we have to do. Paul says that the kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy (Romans 14:17). Jesus says, "This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come" (Matthew 24:14, KJV). Paul says we are to be competent ministers of the New Covenant (gospel)the ministry of righteousess (2 Corinthians 3:6, 9).
Most preaching today isn't about the gospel. Instead it's about the stuff we're supposed to do and not do. I call it Do-Do Preaching.
DON'T lie, cuss, smoke, drink, steal, commit adultery, kick the cat or watch R-rated movies.
DO attend church, read your Bible, pray, attend a small group and give a whole lot more money.
Thus Paul says, "For though you might have 10,000 instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel" (1 Corinthians 4:15, NKJV).
| Do-Do Preaching isn't wrong; it states true things. But Do-Do Preaching often avoids the truth of the gospel -- the truth that empowers our lives. |
The Spotlight
The spotlight test makes the difference I'm describing easy to see. In gospel preaching, the spotlight is always shining on the glory of God, on the finished work of Christ and on who we are because of Jesus. This is uplifting and empowering. It makes you fall in love with God like you never dreamed possible, and you become empowered and constrained by the love of God (2 Corinthians 5:14). You find yourself living the Christian life better by accident than you ever did on purpose. You gradually begin experiencing the reality of Galatians 2:20: "I no longer live, but Christ lives in me."
On the other hand, when Do-Do sermons are preached, instead of the gospel, the spotlight is on us to see how well we perform. It's on us, examining us for any spot or blemish. It is shining so brightly in our eyes that it blinds us to the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:4).
The Truth vs. True Things
There are a lot of things in Scripture that are true, but not necessarily the truth. It is true that, as Christians, there are things we should and shouldn't do. It's true that we shouldn't lie, cuss and steal. It's true that we should read our Bible, pray and give money.
Do-Do Preaching isn't wrong; it states true things. But Do-Do Preaching often avoids the truth of the gospel -- the truth that empowers our lives. Preaching true things is often reduced to preaching guilt, and guilt is habit forming. It keeps us going back to church for more, like we're in need of a "fix." I believe Paul describes this in Galatians 4:17. I think God views all the Do-Do Preaching today as the second Tower of Babel.
Christianity vs. Churchianity
I label non-gospel preaching as churchianity. The truth is that much of the modern day church has the Old and New Covenants so married and combined that we can't tell them apart. Yet, Hebrews 9:10 says that Jesus came to take the first (Old) system away, and establish the second (New Covenant gospel). What Paul calls the gospel of peace and the gospel of grace makes Christianity unique. Take them away and you don't have Christianity. You only have churchianity -- a religion like all other religions in the world.
But living in true Christianity -- in the truth of the New Covenant gospel -- puts you in touch with spiritual reality. Then you come to see that the gospel is an entirely new paradigm: "Old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new" (2 Corinthians 5:17, NKJV). Then the Christian life becomes a joy to you, not just another job.
Lawyer and pastoral counselor, Roger Himes is author of the book, Experiencing the Gospel of Peace, Lamplighter Books (ISBN 1-888554-01-0), 1-800-394-6030.