Don’t! Stop! or Don’t Stop!

I enjoy playing with words, as you can probably tell from this past Sunday’s bulletin article (denial vs. the Nile).  Well, a thought came to me on Sunday in regards to the words “don’t” and “stop”.  

In one sense, we can use the words as cautionary or as warnings:  “Don’t!”  “Stop!”  And we can see in God’s word a number of warnings given for our protection or safety:

“What shall we say then?  Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?  Certainly not!  How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?” (Romans 6:1-2)

“Therefore submit to God.  Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)

On the other hand, we can use the same words to encourage us to remain faithful to the Lord:  “Don’t stop!”  Take note of the following:

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15:58)

“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.  Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” (Galatians 6:9-10)

Therefore, I encourage us all to be cautious/careful (Don’t!  Stop!) when it comes to those things that are contrary to the will of God, but to “Don’t Stop” when it comes to those things that are well pleasing in His sight.