Therefore

Most of us learn the conclusion. Some of our favorite verses are the ones that start with a "therefore". However, we're missing some important lessons if we jump to the conclusion. I had a teacher once who taught that it's worth asking what the "therefore" is "there for".

Recently, at a retreat I asked the men who were gathered to think about Romans 11.36: "For everything comes from [God] and exists by his power and is intended for his glory." (NLT) Everything includes us. I then said, "Paul goes on to write 'therefore' or 'and so'. If you were Paul, how would you continue the thoughts of 11.36 that everything is intended for God's glory? What would be your concluding advice to that truth?"

Likewise, 2 Corinthians 7 starts out with a similar concluding remark: "Because we have these promises, dear friends..." (NLT). How would you continue Paul's thought? The prior verses deal with the truth that we are God's people. We are to be separate from unbelievers and not 'touch' filthy things. He will welcome us if we do. He will be our father and we his family. Therefore...what?

Therefore, it is not our suffering that defiles us. It is our attitude towards the suffering, towards the momentary troubles, to the traffic snarls, to the empty bin of our favorite soup, to the wrongfully made latte, to the dog-walker who ignores the dropping left in our yard...We are to put away filthy things that keep us from God's presence. We are to put away our respectable sins of anxiety, irritability and impatience. We are to be holy as our father in heaven is holy. We are to curb our tongue and guard our heart from lusts and hate. We are to be peacemakers. We are to hunger and thirst for righteousness.

That is my conclusion. Here is Paul's: "Let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God."

Great minds...ahhh, shucks.