The Law Does Not Rule

Good morning as the promise of sunlight breaks over the land. How many of us could get up this morning and run a marathon? Right, perhaps one of two and that only at some risk of strain or injury. You should be able to run 56 miles, not 26, or even run one hundred and six miles and maybe a thousand and six. We are made to run, or so the scientists and evolutionists tell us. Yet, without constant maintenance, exercise, rigid diet, and good health we will fail. How often do you see an antelope performing laps around a track? When not threatened they eat, sleep, walk, and stare at cars going by, but in a burst of an instant an antelope can run as far and as fast as it was created to run. How many times have you disobeyed the law?

Right, about as many times as you've been caught, and maybe a few more that no one need know about. Yeah, we seem to be a whole lot better at that, and we don't have to practice constantly. If the law ruled, we would not be able to disobey. Instead, the law seeks to rule through force. Look at your legal code. Do you see rewards for obedience? If you exceed the speed limit, there is a penalty in this state, usually in the form of dollars and points off your license. However, for all the times I have obeyed that particular law, I have never once been handed money for doing so. I cannot build up points to use later because the law only rules through punishment. God set aside a people, the Israelites, and then literally laid down the law. The books of the law in the Old Testament have a lot of crimes and associated punishment listed, but every once in a while you will see a reward for obedience. Honor your father and your mother and you get to live a long life, God's law says so. If you always obey the speed limit, do you avoid accidents? Don't try to tell me that; I have a little story to share if you try it. Our hearts are desperately wicked, and the law cannot rule in hearts of this type. Something else had to happen.

Jesus fulfilled the law of God by accepting the punishment on himself. He who did not sin, died to pay for our sin. The law could not rule, but it could be accomplished and God's justice satisfied by the sacrifice of His Son. In Christ, we gain His righteousness through faith. Now we keep the law because the penalty is paid. However, we also want to keep the law now. We do not live in fear of the penalty, though the devil tempts us in that way, but we want to obey our Lord from the love He has put in our hearts. One day, when Jesus raises us to new life, I'll want to run that thousand and six miles with you.

Praise God in this day!
Bucky