The Law

I was on my way into town to visit someone at the hospital. A car passed me, which was fine, but then just a few minutes later puts on his turn indicator to make a turn. My first thought was, why did he pass me if he was going to turn so quickly ahead of me. I was going to try to pass him as he was turning. I looked behind me to see if anyone else was coming and there are flashing red and blue lights. I was concerned with what I thought was a rude car in front of me while failing to know my own surroundings. Ironically, after the visit at the hospital, I was going to go to a local fund raiser that supports our area law enforcement. People have different ideas of law enforcement and I understand that there are places overseas that are notorious for corrupt law enforcement. In the USA, my experience has been that the vast majority of them definitely help to keep law and order. Many of the issues I have seen in the news center around people that were resisting or being disrespectful to the law. In areas where cities have tried to remove or greatly reduce law enforcement, the crime and violence has gone up. The truth is, without that enforcement, we would see great chaos and find the battle belongs to the wicked and most conniving. Law is a necessary thing for a civilized society because there will always be law-breakers. The Bible is clear about there being lawbreakers... that is the whole purpose of the law... to create boundaries that deter the wicked and produce safe and peaceful neighborhoods. The purpose of the law is not designed to punish people, but to attempt to encourage everyone to follow a standard where all can prosper. Likewise, God’s law was never made to hold back or punish His people, but to define the boundaries that were safe to operate within from the boundaries that lead to destruction. God doesn’t chase us down with squad cars or force us to pay fines. Breaking God’s law brings eternal condemnation. However, Romans 3 tells believers, our righteousness has been secured. “Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith. For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.” Father, we keep wanting to feel we somehow helped with our salvation, but clearly we are saved by faith and not our works. Thank You. Amen