(The Law) School of Hard Knocks

Grace (God's Favor through Jesus) is not a license to sin, it is freedom to not sin. The Law (ten commandments) is for the lawless, to bring them to Jesus.  But as Believers we no longer have to look to the Law to obey it. We look to the Law of  Love, which Jesus stated a new commandment I give you. Love your neighbor as I have Loved You. This is all encompassing, follow the Law of Love and the Law isn't broken.  Under God's Grace/Favor I don’t have to be told to Love God, not to steal etc... The focus has changed from our actions/The Law to His Love for us.  We Love God, because He first Loved us. Think of the governmental laws. It is against the law to steal, correct?  How many times a day do you think about that law? If  you're a law abiding citizen, then you don't give it any thought. If you're an active thief then it is a constant thought.  Paul explains this next part The Law is Pure and Good, but in Romans he explains that the Law gives occasion(opportunity) to the Law of sin and death. Because the Law has no redemptive power.  A speed limit sign has no power to stop me from speeding. But if cars were manufactured to go only the speed limit, there would be no need for the speed limit signs. In Jesus, we have been re-manufactured to not sin, when we renew our minds and align ourselves with His Thoughts. When we use God's Favor in Jesus appropriately.  This is why Paul stated to not have vain discussions about the Law.

Here's one last way to think about it. There's two signs: one says "Under The Law" the other says Jesus/God's Grace.  We as believers are above the Law, so put the sign underneath you that says "under the Law". Put the sign that says Jesus/God's Grace, now look  up, what do you see, exactly Jesus! Now, since your focus is the Ten Commandments take the sign that says "under the Law" and place that sign directly above you. Now, look up! You just blocked Jesus who is God's Favor to us. You get what you focus on. 

Those of us, who have truly, truly been dragged down, by the law of sin and death. Know that our only hope is God's Favor that we have only through Jesus.  Because I cannot obey the law, without God's Favor. With  God's favor, guess what............alcohol  gone......stealing gone......sleeping  around gone........drugs gone....lying gone..............etc…all of  it gone, don't  do it, nor do I need any of it and it wasn't me that changed me.....it was Jesus. So you can wave the Ten Commandments around all you want, The Law did what it was supposed to do, deliver me to the one who earned Our Favor with God.......Jesus:  then He changed me, with little effort or striving on my part!