Scripture

But now we have been released from the law, for we died to it and are no longer captive to its power. Now we can serve God, not in the old way of obeying the letter of the law, but in the new way of living in the Spirit.

Observation

The law only constrains us while a person is living. So a married woman does not commit adultery if her husband dies and she then remarries.

We have died to the power of God’s law because we died in Christ. We are no longer controlled by our old nature, and the law is no longer stirring up evil desires. Now we are free to serve God in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Application

One of the problems of legalism is that it stirs up our fascination with sin. If somebody had not told me not to covet my neighbour’s wife, it is quite possible that it would never occur to me to do that, much less commit adultery.

The problem with the law is that sin is not about our actions but our motivations. We see this at work in the recent lock down and curfew in Victoria. When a curfew was announced, the internet lit up with questions like “Can I stay at my girlfriend’s house?” and “Can the lawn mowing contractor still come?”

It is not surprising that hundreds of people have lied on their cross-border permit applications. When a Government first restricts access it seems that most people’s first thought is not, “That’s a sensible precaution at this time”, but” I’ve got to go there, now, at any cost.”

So God’s law was never about controlling behaviour but addressing sinful desire.

Now Jesus has set us free from the power and the penalty of sin, so we do not have to follow a written law to find favour with God. Rather, we serve God by living our lives in surrender to the Holy Spirit.

Over time, the Holy Spirit changes our desires and our attitudes. I no longer need to worry about a law that says, “Do not steal.” The Holy Spirit is teaching me to trust in His provision and to share what I already have with my neighbours in need.

Prayer

Thank you Father for the gift of salvation in Jesus Christ. Thank you that I don’t need to learn a set of rules to please you, but instead I can hear the still small voice of your Spirit at any time. Amen.