To live "under the law" is to live under the expectation of fulfilling God's moral standards through one's own human ability. However, rather than experiencing the joy of a clean conscience, we sometimes feel enslaved to legalism and guilt. The problem is not with God's moral standards but with the sinful nature of humanity. James 1:14-15 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Therefore one is to walk by means of the Spirit, (which is eternal) and not walk by means of the flesh (which is death). Both are systems that are complete in themselves. To understand one is to also understand the other. If one chooses to walk by the Spirit, then of necessity one has to avoid walking in the flesh. To walk in this case means to organize ones life around one of these governing principles. For instance, for walking by means of the Spirit, the governing principle is the ministry of the Spirit of God in ones life. To walk by the flesh is to succumb to the moods and appetites of the flesh. When that is done, the flesh will produce very predictable habits or works. Galatians 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envying, murders, drunkenness, revelling, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Likewise walking by means of the spirit will produce these predictable habits of works. Galatians 5:22-23. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. Jesus was the only man who ever lived that never committed a single sin, and that's why He was the perfect candidate to die for our sins. Romans 8:3-4 "For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the spirit". Salvation depends on the mercy of God, not on merits from good deeds or sacrifice of people. We don't earn salvation like a diploma, that's a free gift. But God allows His people to be tempted . His purpose is not to intimidate us or trick us into "wrong decisions". Instead, He intends to strengthen us, and teach us to depend on His counsel and guidance. John 3:16. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." Because of Christ, we know that obedience to God includes trusting in the cross of Christ for salvation. Those who reject this provision are choosing eternal death. That's why it is extremely important that you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior! Just think, if you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, God is so merciful that He will easily forgive you of your sins, because Jesus took the punishment that we deserved when He was on the cross. That's what it means when people say "He died for us". All we have to do is sincerely and meaningfully confess our sins to God, repent and ask for forgiveness. Romans 3:23. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." With exception to our Lord Jesus Christ who is also the son of God and man. |
