Skip to main content

The Law

             For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, (Romans 8:3)

If we just outlawed guns, there’d be safety. If we just outlawed hate and hate-speech, there’d be peace. If we just outlawed gas-powered vehicles, the earth would be clean and healthy. If we passed a law protecting women, or blacks, or LGBTQ+, or _______, hatred would disappear. It might still exist, but those who expressed it would be re-educated or put somewhere where they could do no more harm. If we made abortion illegal, children would be safe. If we outlawed alcohol, drugs, slavery, the sex trade, pornography, or whatever else, all our problems would disappear. Except… we’ve tried most of them and the laws haven’t worked. That’s because laws are only as strong as our capacity to enforce them - whether in the lives of others or in our own. If they were, “Do not murder” would be enough. We wouldn’t need gun laws. “Love your neighbor” would put an end to all manner of evil. Imagine what obedience to “Do not covet” would do in that perfect world where laws are obeyed.

But even when we want to, we can’t seem to obey all of the laws - even all of the common-sense laws. We can’t even want to. The law cannot influence us to that level, at least not unless there are police and cameras watching everything. Though we want to depend on the law to make society and ourselves what we think it/we should be, the law is powerless. God didn’t give us the law to make us good. He gave the low to teach us we are bad. Then He provided a Savior.

As a result, God’s Spirit can work in us in ways that we cannot, if we allow it. And once we allow it, there is no longer room for condemnation.

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"Especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Gal 6:10)   “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.   By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)           Joshua grinned when he saw Rex standing by the door, studying something on the ground. "Hey, man! Are we ready to do this thing?"          Rex looked up. "Josh, I can't do it. We're still best buds, but I can't stand your fiancée."           I've met "Rex" many times. I've been Rex. Joshua (Jesus) loves the Church. He's not a fool. He knows the Church is far from perfect, but she is His chosen bride. The Rexes of this world, who think themselves His friend, turn away from her. "You don't need the Church to...
Post a Comment
Read more

Ssssssubmmissssssionnn

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ . (Ephesians 5:21)             "Ssssssubmmisssssssionnn." Can't you just hear the serpent hissing this most horrible of words? If you listen to the serpent or the world, submission means groveling, allowing yourself to be abused, denying yourself your own humanity. Nothing could be worse than submission, could it?             Submission has never been a problem for me, as long as things are going the way I want them to. The rest of the time? Well, let's just say that while I don't know how to fight physically, I don't know how to not fight mentally. One of the fights I've been having with myself for years is about submission.             My first breakthrough took place on a trip to a bookstore. As I walked into the store, my thoughts were very clear. 1) I was goi...
Post a Comment
Read more

Shark Fins, Triple Dog Dares, Heroes, Villains and Sidekicks

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)            There's a scene in Jaws in which someone sees a shark fin and starts a panic. As   all the swimmers scramble to shore, boats surround the fin, which falls over to reveal two kids. With several guns pointed at them, one of the kids points at the other. The message is clear: it was his idea. In Christmas Story, there's a scene in which one kid "triple dog dares" another to do something stupid. Since it's a triple dog dare, well, what choice does the boy have? There doesn't seem to be any end to the trouble that peer pressure can cause. ...
Post a Comment
Read more