"The Law" vs. "The Law"

Before I confuse you any longer than a few seconds, the title is just a silly way I'm trying to differentiate between two varying perspectives of God's law. The first "The Law" would be the very negative view of God's law that some people hold, and sadly even the view us children of God's hold at times. The second "The Law" is meant to represent the state of peace and freedom we experience when we fully trust that His Law is good. My main purpose in writing this particular blog post is to convince you or to reassure you that the parameters which God sets for us are good. And even though at times we may "grieve the Holy Spirit" or God speaking to us through our consciences, we should not.

Ephesians 4:30

“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”

For me, I normally hold a positive view of God's law and word. After all, God's Law represents what is holy, pure, bold, and intimately God Himself. And yet law is law, and with it comes the very natural tendency to resist. We have a very real sin nature, and we unfortunately will not be free from temptations until we get to heaven. The more I talk with fellow believers (in Jesus) and discuss our relationships with God; I realize that we all struggle with our pride, our selfishness, and obedience in general.

Allow me to share a personal story/testimony of how God works in a sinner's life. A couple of years ago, I had fallen into the trap of drinking too much, and was becoming increasingly dependent on alcohol. Now I am a firm believer that moderation is key. And I believe the Bible promotes that, so I am in no way advocating zero alcohol consumption (unless you are on the preggo wagon with me). But I realized I had come to place my evening wine above my relationship with Christ and God had spoken to my heart on this matter several times. The thing is, sometimes we can get into a rut, and then get unstuck for a while, but fall back into the rut again and again. That is what happened to me. One day, I had driven to town to purchase some wine and also had to drop something off at the library on the way to the store. Coming down the hill from the library, my car ran out of gas! My husband and I share a vehicle, and I rarely drive it, so I hadn't bothered to check if we were on empty or not. Anyways, I walked over to the nearest gas station that would sell me a jerry can of fuel and got back on the road. Now, It HAD crossed my mind that God was putting an obstacle before me so that I would not go and buy the wine, but I decided to be stubborn. On I went into the liquor store and got to the check out where the teller asked me for some photo identification. I had forgotten that I had renewed my driver's license the week before, and my new card had not yet arrived in the mail. So I had no way of taking the wine home that day. Well thankfully through the course of those events, God made it clear to me that He did not want me drinking in that way. And in hind sight I can clearly see that this was best.

There is an accurate analogy of a parent's love and discipline for their child compared to God's love and discipline toward us. I have a 2 1/2 year old son and trust me, it is accurate.

Proverbs 3:12

“For whom the LORD loves He reproves, Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.”

My son does NOT always know what is best for him. He thinks that eating candy for breakfast and walking into traffic are perfectly fine things to do. It is my job as a parent to gently guide him to the point where he will be able to make his own wise choices. I know I am the same.

1 Corinthians 1:25

“For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.”

God is all powerful. He is all knowing. He created us and knows what is best for us.

Romans 8:28

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

Now, let me reiterate that we are NOT SAVED BY WORKS, we are SAVED THROUGH FAITH. And no matter how badly we fall short of God's holy standard, He says that He loves us the same. May we not abuse that gift of grace, friends, but let it inspire us to live in obedience and to show others grace as well.

Romans 8:1

“Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

In this with you,

Katie