Weight Words: Just do it! This changes everything.

Every command (imperative) in Scripture is rooted in God’s prior work (indicative) and especially in His identity and ours. Such as Ephesians 5:1-2:

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

It’s doing what we are becoming and being.

We’re God’s children, so we can behave like it.

Consider the implications of the verses that follow:

3 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
—Ephesians 5:3-6

That former life does not describe us any longer, for “at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light” (v. 8). We can leave behind lives of greed and pride, and no longer live as idolaters. Idolaters try to please themselves, and worship themselves or others. How freeing to instead energies towards trying to “discern what is pleasing to the Lord.” (v. 10)

Sometimes I hear skeptical people say “The Bible is just full of do’s and don’ts, a bunch a rules I don’t need.” That simply is not true, and let’s remember that every time God commands something He does it with our best in mind (for our good) and because it is in His nature and shall be in ours.