What then shall we do?

What do you gentlemen make of this...? I read this verse on accident this morning, having left my search engine open from reading Phil 4:8 yesterday.

Phil 4:9 (ASV) The things which ye both learned and received and heard and saw in me, these things do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

I am no bible scholar, and I could be way off here, but it would seem that Paul is telling us to do something. I think we can agree that his words are not unclear in that. I say this because sometimes "do" becomes a dirty word in modern church vernacular, but Paul had no problem using it. So much of the instruction given to us by the Spirit of God through Paul commands believers to do certain things that it would seem to be an uphill semantic battle to avoid the use of the word "do." We can play around with all the churchy cliches we want, but what does the Word say?

So wait a minute... Is Paul implying that if you do not do these things, the God of Peace will not be with you? Keep in mind one of the things that Paul is likely referring to is "walking in the spirit," which they should have learned, received, heard, and seen in him. But he is still telling them to do that... Walk in the Spirit! It is a command, and we are told what happens when we do not do this. Just for the record, I do not believe this is implying that you can earn God's presence or peace. I do, however, believe His word says that He rewards those who diligently seek Him. You'll have to find your own balance in that, I am still working it out. :) Some things we are given, other things are conditionally promised to us. e.g. "If you ____, then I will ____."

It only takes a cursory review to find many commands and/or exhortations given to us in the new testament. If all these sorts things just flow naturally out of us, why would we need to be repeatedly reminded through God's word to do them. For example, why would Paul feel the need to tell us to run the race? Such statements seem a little performance oriented.

Shouldn't it just happen because of who we are in Christ? Are we not to perform, or is it instead that we are to perform, but we must know the source of our ability to do that which we are told?

Here are a few ASV verses to chew on as you tackle this issue, should you choose to. Psalms has some really good ones, but many would argue that David was under the law. The last two verses go a little deep in their implications. Check 'em out.

--John 4:34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to accomplish his work.
--Matt 12:50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father who is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.
--Matt 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so on earth.
--Matt 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven.
--John 6:38 For I am come down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
--John 7:16-17 Jesus therefore answered them and said, My teaching is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man willeth to do his will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it is of God, or whether I speak from myself.
--Eph 6:5-8 Servants, be obedient unto them that according to the flesh are your masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; not in the way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers; but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; with good will doing service, as unto the Lord, and not unto men: knowing that whatsoever good thing each one doeth, the same shall he receive again from the Lord, whether he be bond or free
--1 John 2:17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
--Heb 10:36 For ye have need of patience, that, having done the will of God, ye may receive the promise.

Any thoughts??