The Law

1 Corinthians 15:33 (ESV) Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”

Law - rules that bind all people living in a community. Laws protect our general safety, and ensure our rights as citizens against abuses by other people, by organizations, and by the government itself. We have laws to help provide for our general safety. The principle purpose of the law is to condemn us. It is to show us plainly that we CANNOT do good works in our own resources.

How can we get people to behave themselves? We assume that the majority of people are selfish who cannot be trusted to do a good job or refrain from lying, cheating, or stealing unless given the right “incentives.”

Good - that which is morally right.
Bad - things that are morally wrong.

Laws are made to prevent people from hurting others or doing bad things. How many laws are made to make people do good things? What about laws to force people to treat people well? Yep, I can’t think of any either.

The only way to encourage others to do well is usually incentive based. What do I get for doing the right thing? What can I get for treating people well? But if there are no incentives, why be good?

The focus on bad behavior obscures the reality of goodness.

To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. (Proverbs 21:3) (NIV)

Many non-Christians I know say they are good because of a moral compass. How do you get that moral compass? Or exactly what do you mean when you say moral compass? They tell me that it is a natural feeling that makes people know what is right and wrong and how they should behave.

When I ask; how do you know right from wrong? The answer is generally because of our laws.

But the law cannot produce good works in us; it's just the standard. In fact, the law's very presence tends to make sin more appealing, and this is a very serious problem indeed. For if we choose to be "under the law", then we will find "sin crouching at our door".

If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it." Genesis 4:7 (NIV)

The law is not at fault; it is our sin nature that is the problem. So, how do you win the war over sin?

The Bible is our source for morality and if the Bible isn't the source for morality, then the question needs to be asked, “What should be?”  The Bible is where ALL laws began. Where do you ask? Exodus 20. This is the original 10 laws or the 10 Commandments. From these simple 10 edicts all laws are based.

For Christians, our view is based on two foundational truisms: 1) God exists, and 2) God has spoken to us in the Bible. If these two beliefs aren't the starting point in the Christian views, then we’re just like everyone else, trying to find objectivity in a sea of subjectivity.

As a Christian we do not follow the laws because we have to, but because we want to please God. Why do I want to please God? Answer: Because He offers eternal life.

What happens if you do not know God and have a personal relationship with Jesus, but still do good in this world? Well you will win the favor of many people, but that will end here on earth.

John 14:23 (NIV) Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.

But knowing God, accepting that Jesus came into this world as a sacrifice for our sins, and admit that you need Him, will not only win you favor with God, but will give you eternal life as well. Plus you will be amazed at our God will lead your life.

So don’t follow man’s law, follow Jesus and let God show you the right way to live! That is how you win the war on sin.