Some Folks Require Law, Others Require Grace

We should ponder the incredible grace of God in addition to travel amazed...

Fifteen years ago, I was alongside a grouping of Christians who did a survey of sorts. 

We went to Old Town Ft. Collins, Colorado on a Sabbatum nighttime in addition to asked passers-by if they had obeyed all of the Ten Commandments. 

Amazingly, 90% said they had. Most too told us they idea they were "good enough" to larn into heaven. 

Evangelist Ray Comfort says nosotros should emphasize sin when sharing Christ alongside proud people in addition to emphasize grace alongside humble people.

If people listen most grace earlier agreement their sin, they may non come across their demand for grace. 

Even those of us who know Christ sometimes forget the important of the word.

Today let's ponder the fact that the reward of sin is run exactly the gift of God is eternal life (Romans 6:23). We deserve hell because of our personal sins exactly we've* received eternal life instead. That's worth pondering daily.

*Those who accept chosen to believe in addition to follow Christ.
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Two Times To Disobey

Someone in i lawsuit told me it was okay to role copyrighted cloth inappropriately inwards fellowship to promote Christian causes. He said, "At the terminate of the day, all that matters is that God is glorified."

He expressed a pop belief: The terminate justifies the means. 

But he's wrong. God cares near our methods every bit good every bit our results. For the Christian, the ends don't justify the means.

We tin together with should obey laws.

Scripture offers solely ii exceptions:

1. When a life is at stake.
Rahab lied to relieve the lives of the spies, together with God rewarded her. So saving a life mightiness involve violating a lesser constabulary of God.(1)

2. When we're commanded to disobey God.
The Apostles refused to quit speaking near Jesus when the government ordered it (Acts 4:1-22). So nosotros can/should disobey laws that foreclose us from sharing Christ, although nosotros produce together with thence at our ain risk. 

Romans 13:5 says, "it is necessary to submit to the authorities, non solely because of possible penalty but likewise every bit a thing of conscience." Our conscience should bother us if nosotros produce something illegal, unethical, or immoral. And nosotros can't justify it based on the results unless nosotros are saving a life or existence forced to disobey God's commands. 

God tests us inwards the piddling things (Luke 16:10), together with nosotros never glorify Him past times using ungodly methods to promote His kingdom.(2)
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(1) The Old Testament likewise allowed killing inwards self-defense (Exodus 22:2).
(2) Using copyrighted cloth is a shape of stealing. Following copyright laws doesn't prohibit us from sharing the gospel.

For to a greater extent than on this subject, banking concern gibe out the devotion I invitee wrote from my friend Dawn's blog. It's called "God Wins All Wrestling Matches" together with talks near a fourth dimension when I almost broke the constabulary together with when I did interruption the law.

Bible Love Notes

Did Jesus Actually Say That? Must Nosotros Obey Onetime Will Laws?

"Do non recall that I convey come upward to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I convey non come upward to abolish them but to fulfill them." Jesus, Matthew 5:17

Jesus didn't abolish Old Testament law. 

Does that hateful nosotros however must obey it?

No.

Christ fulfilled the police pull as well as prophets.

In Christ, nosotros alive nether grace, non police pull (Romans 6:14; Galatians 3:11).

We convey the power, desire, as well as responsibleness to alive obedient lives (Romans 8:9-14). But nosotros obey New Testament commands based on the deeper spiritual pregnant of the police pull - the fulfillment of the police pull - non only the "letter of the law" (Matthew 5:20-48).

Grace isn’t a license to sin (Romans 6:1-6). It’s our motivation as well as ability to overcome sin.

As Paul as well as then aptly explained:

“His grace to me was non without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them--yet non I, but the grace of God that was alongside me." Paul, 1 Corinthians 15:10

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Note: We are no longer required to obey dietary, ceremonial, cleansing, as well as sacrificial laws (Romans 14:17; Colossians 2:16-17).
See: Which Old Testament Laws Apply Today 

Bible Love Notes