When the Believer is under the Government of Law they attempt to sanctify themselves by way of keeping a law. For some, it is the Ten Commandments they attempt to keep while others it is fasting, praying or perhaps reading the Bible. Obviously all of these things the born again Believer should be doing BUT not to gain a victorious Christian life.
“For the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the Law of Sin and Death.” Romans 8:2
We are all born under the Law of Sin and Death due to Adam’s original fall. Born with a sin nature, we do not have to be taught what is morally wrong but what is morally right. For the parent, who themselves are bound by the Law of Sin and Death because they do not know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour (the Jesus of the Bible Who came to pay the penalty of sin for the sinner and break the power of sin for the Believer…not condone sin as some would like to believe), they will raise their children according to the world’s moral standards. The statutes and ways of the worldly system are that by which they measure success. To see the fruit of these man made moral laws simply turn on the television.
“8 For by Grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
Spiritually speaking there are only two Governments of God. The Government of Law, which we are all born under, and the Government of Grace. When we accept the Sacrificial Lamb provided by God, Jesus Christ, as our substitute for the penalty of sin (death, Romans 6:23) we are born again; a new creature in Christ Jesus who is now under the Government of Grace through faith.
“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for you are not under the law, but under Grace.” Romans 6:14
Being born again and now under the Government of Grace through faith, the power of sin is broken in the Believer’s life and our sin nature no longer has dominion. The power of sin is indeed broken until we, with the best of intentions, put ourselves back under the Government of Law by placing laws on ourselves to better perform…those worldly statutes we have known all of our lives. These laws (rules), which are intended for good, substitute our self efforts, will and determination in place of the Holy Spirit Who is not commissioned to superintend the Government of Laws but the Government of Grace…this IS the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus. If we are not under Grace, we are under Law and the strength of sin is law.
“56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Cor. 15:56-57
Religion is full of laws. Any fulfillment of a particular law produces pride…which is their intent. The Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years and God continued to bless them. God’s blessings were not condoning of their sinful ways but a keeping in hopes they would repent. Sadly an entire generation of Israelites never saw the promise land due to unbelief. In today’s world, this generation would be swept to and fro with every wind of doctrine coming down the pike in the religious world. Now, just as then, unbelief is the problem among God’s Children. We know yet we do not understand because we walk by sight and not by faith; regardless of our sincere proclamations and bold declarations.
“12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the Living God.
13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; 15 While it is said, To day if you will hear His Voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.” Hebrews 3:12-15
Laws are given to evil hearts of unbelief to reveal their evil and unbelief but do not have the power to change. The power of God is in the Cross of Christ. The Holy Spirit superintends God’s Grace, the effect of the Cross of Christ, in the heart of belief.
“23 Jesus said unto him, If you cant believe, all things are possible to him that believe.
24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help Thou mine unbelief.” Mark 9:23-24
-Donna Clark Warren
Living in The Spirit 