Laws: Reconstructing Misconceptions

"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the law that gives freedom, and continues in it--not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it--they will be blessed in what they do." (James 1:22-25)

It has recently come to my attention that common opinions are often skewed in regards to the expectations and rules for Christian living as communicated by God.

Non-Christian Misconceptions
1. In order to become a Christian, you have to follow all of the rules first.
     False. "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith--and this not of yourselves, it is the gift of God." (Ephesians 2:8)

2. God's laws were designed to prevent us from having fun.
     No no no. God's laws serve several purposes, but they are not in place to lessen our happiness. In John 10:10, Jesus explains, "I came that they may have life, and have it to the full." First of all, God's law simply reveals what pleases God and what does not. This implies that we will choose to do those things which bring him joy. Another purpose for God's commandments is twofold: while it reveals attributes of God (such as his justice and righteousness), it simultaneously reveals our sinfulness, wickedness, and shortcomings when it comes to holiness, godliness, and living for Christ. In doing so, our weaknesses reveal our deep necessity for God's grace. "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'" (2 Corinthians 12:9)


Misconceptions within Christianity
1. It is an obligation or a burden.

     "This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world." (1 John 5:3-4) If anything, his commands are an inspiration! They are our comfort. Alone, we will never overcome our own sinful nature and obey his commands; only by his divine grace and power can we win the sin battle.

2. We must follow God's law in order to get into heaven.
     Take another look at Ephesians 2:8.

The Truth

Disobedience, while it is sin itself, leads to more sin. When we choose our own way over what God desires for our life, we are essentially telling him that we know what will be best for us better than he does. What? That means we are pridefully, ignorantly elevating our own wisdom and knowledge over an omniscient, omnipotent God. Be very careful.

So why should we do as God commands? Just you wait :)

THE REASONS
1. If we love God, obeying his commands is simply the visible outpouring and overflow of that love:

• "If you love me, you will obey what I command." (John 14:15)
• "You are my friends if you do what I command." (John 15:14)
• "And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love." (2 John 1:6)

2. Obeying God pleases him:

• "The sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God." (Romans 8:7)

3. Neglecting to obey him grieves the heart of God:

• "The Lord saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. The Lord was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain." (Genesis 6:5-6)

4. God blesses those that keep his commands:

• "Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession." (Exodus 19:5)
• "God 'will give to each person according to what he has done.' To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil." (Romans 2:6-9)
• "But I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in all the ways I command you, that it may go well with you." (Jeremiah 7:23)
• "Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who find great delight in his commands." (Psalm 112:1)
• Look at James 1:25 again.

5. God is just in rewarding our faithfulness to keep his commands and disciplining us when we do not. There are consequences for refusing to live within God's will:

• "What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey--whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?" (Romans 6:15-16)
• "'If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.' For the mouth of the Lord has spoken." (Isaiah 1:20)

6. A couple of things to note:

• Obedience is a result of faith: 

          "Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes through faith." (Romans 1:5)
          "Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." (James 2:17)

• Obedience is a process requiring practice that is learned over time:

          "Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered."(Hebrews 5:8)

• Obedience is all-encompassing:

          "And we take captive every thought to make it obedience to Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:5)

THE RESULT

Essentially, our responsibility as Christians is to introduce people to Christ. The church I attend explains our goal and life mission this way: We exist to make heaven more crowded. In following God's commands, we set ourselves apart from the world. It is not always easy to do as God asks. Scratch that-- denying our sinful nature is always a struggle. But at the core, by the grace of God, we will continue to do so in order that more people may be introduced to the most important (and only important) person to ever walk the earth:

"But I do as the Father commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father." (John 14:31, ESV)

My Prayer:

"I will hasten and do not delay to obey your commands." (Psalm 119:60)

-Mic