I had been preaching for 10 years the first time I heard a Bible teacher say, “When you come to a ‘therefore’ in Scripture, stop and ask what it’s ‘there for.'” I thought, “Great. Why didn’t I think of that?”

Wonder why I’d never heard it.

They say there are two parts to every sermon: what and so what?

The “what” is the doctrinal and “so what” the practical.

There’s a little storefront church in Metairie, one of those “Unity” kinds, that bills itself as dealing with “practical Christianity.” Like there’s any other kind. If it’s not practical, pertaining to normal people living their everyday lives, it’s not the authentic, biblical variety.

You often find the “so what” in Scripture with the “therefore” passages. On the basis of what has gone before, here is how we are to live.

The Bible is filled with them. First, we’ll take the ones in I Peter, then some of our favorites from the rest of the New Testament.

From I Peter–

–1:13 “Therefore, gird up your minds for action, keep sober in spirit….” On the basis of all we are in Christ and all the Father has done for us, let us get up and get busy in the work Christ has called us to.

–2:1 “Therefore, putting aside all malice and all guile and hypocrisy….” Since we have been born again by incorruptible seed, God’s Word, and cleansed by Christ’s precious blood, we cannot allow ourselves the luxury of ill-will and mean-spiritedness and ugly behavior.

–4:1 “Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose….” Few things restore our perspective like focusing on the Lord Jesus’ sacrifice of Himself on the cross.

–4:7 “The end of all things is at hand; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer….” This is about what has been called “living in the light of the Second Coming.” Instead of going off the deep end and delving into fanaticism, be clear-headed and right-minded. Control yourself; only then will you be able to pray with purpose.

–4:19 “Therefore, let those also who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.” On the basis of the promises of God to those who suffer and persevere, get it right. It would be a shame to go through all that suffering for nothing.

–5:1 “Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ….shepherd the flock of God among you.” On the basis of all Christ has done and God has promised, the pastors are summoned to shepherd the people of the Lord faithfully.

–5:6 “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you….” God is great, you are not, so stay humble.

Let’s admit the obvious here: there are plenty of times when “therefore” is not actually spoken (or written), but implied. My thesaurus lists numerous synonyms for “therefore:” consequently, so, as a result (or consequence), hence, ergo, for that reason, accordingly, then, that being the case, and thus.

Here are a few of everyone’s favorite “therefore” passages–

–Romans 12:1 “I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice….”

The first 11 chapters of Romans goes into great detail to lay before us the wonderful love and mercies of God. On the basis of all that, Paul says, we should give ourselves completely to the Lord.

The “therefore” here could refer to the doxology found at the end of chapter 11. That makes sense.

We don’t have to choose. Let’s believe both are true.

Kent Hughes, in his outstanding commentary on Romans (“Righteousness From Heaven”), gives this outline on Romans 12:1-2:

la — The basis of commitment (the mercies of God)

1b — The character of commitment (this commitment has 2 prominent traits: it is total and it is reasonable)

2a — The demands of commitment (do not be conformed; but be transformed)

2b — The effect of commitment (you will be able to discern God’s will)

–I Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.”

This is the great resurrection chapter. After establishing that Jesus actually rose from the tomb on that first Easter morning and was seen by hundreds, Paul answers two questions: how are the dead raised and with what kind of body? (See vs. 35 where he asks this and following, where he answers)

Then, he concludes with a promise of Christ’s return, a passage many of us have read at the gravesides of saints. “We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet….”

But we are not to sit around on a mountaintop waiting. There is work to be done. “Therefore”–on the basis of the Lord’s resurrection and our future resurrection, since He has made these glorious promises concerning everything beyond this life–we should be steady, stationary, productive, and optimistic.

–Ephesians 4:1 “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called….”

Perhaps no epistle cleaves as neatly between the theological and the practical as clearly as Ephesians, right down the middle, 3 chapters each. Purists will point out that practical admonitions can be found among the theology and doctrinal insights throughout the practical. No question. But primarily, the first 3 chapters give doctrine and the last 3 answer the “so what” question.

–II Peter 3:11 “Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness.”

Christians hold citizenship papers in two worlds. We have loyalties to each that do not contradict the other. We are to be good stewards of this one and to prepare for the next one. We must keep our balance between the two and our focus on each.

This earth will one day be destroyed. The recent earthquakes in Haiti and Chile remind us how fragile life on this planet really is. In light of that, we must live faithfully and godly.

Jesus had some “therefores” of His own on this subject. Toward the end of the great 24th chapter of Matthew, the eschatology chapter, He said, “Therefore, be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.” (24:42)

“Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour” (25:13).

Amen. Thank you, Lord. Even so, come Lord Jesus.