Living in the Spirit
May 24, 2018
Scripture Reading: Romans 8:1-17
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do: by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and to deal with sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, so that the just requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For this reason the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law—indeed it cannot, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. –Romans 8:1-8
Laws exist to bring order to the potential for chaos. Laws are useless if people do not recognize them for the purpose they serve. Traffic laws are a good example. Speed limits reduce the incidence of accidents. Studies measure the likelihood of accidents as they relate to speed and project the most favorable speed to allow traffic to flow meaningfully while reducing the number of accidents. It is science and it has proven to work. The law implementing prohibition of the sale of alcoholic beverages, intended to reduce the harmful effects of alcohol abuse resulted in increased crime and what came to be known at least in Oklahoma as liquor by the wink. The well regulated legal serving of alcoholic beverages seems to be safer than the absolute prohibition of alcohol.
Biblical laws include everything from murder to healthy food regulations to etiquette. While cultures have changed, and we may have identified safe ways to cook pork but now recommend a limited salt intake, the need for some order regarding safety and general order remains prudent.
With the coming of Christ, we learned that laws were not an end unto themselves but that love, caring for one another wanting the best for one another drives all aspects of our lives including influencing our laws. The challenge is to change ourselves into people who love one another, and the laws will take care of themselves. Laws do not matter to those whose intent is selfish gain.
Prayer: Lord, let our love multiply throughout our world resulting in positive outcomes for all your children. Amen.