Righteous and Redirected Regulations
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Romans 8:1 (KJV)
Have you noticed the lack of respect for rules or regulations today? For example, if you don’t like the ballot results of an election you seek to change the way votes are tabulated and processed in order to get a desired outcome that promotes your ideology. Oftentimes in what is supposed to be a democratic process, political forces will seek to dismiss the voices and votes of the people and turn to a federal judge or a group of judges to rescind the results. Yes, it appears that people don't appreciate rules because they represent restrictions that are perceived to prohibit personal prerogatives and pleasures. But rules or regulations are essential because without them life will be dictated by disorder.
People always need to be regulated in order to relate with reason and respect for one another. In addition everything in our life should be restricted with rules or our life experience will be dominated by disarray and injustice. If we look to lawlessness to live and everyone is free to do whatever they want, most people will probably behave selfishly. Chaos and confusion will rule. Peace will be persistently be pushed aside. We need God’s law for peace and order.
“Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.” Psalms 119:165 (KJV)
However, a rule is only as powerful and effective as the one who prepared the rule.
Just what is a rule? It is one of a set of explicit or understood regulations or principles governing conduct within a particular activity or sphere. Let’s turn our attention to the spiritual sphere in our lives. In our opening text did you happen to see a righteous redirection of regulations?
No more condemnation but commendation! We were sentenced to the condemnation of death as it relates to our relationship with God. We were regulated by the will of the flesh. But Jesus cancels out the commendation and calls us to commendation!!
“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.” Romans 5:12- 16 (KJV, Emphasis mine)
Yes! No more condemnation but commendation which means to present in a praise-worthy fashion! We are blessed with what I refer to as approved acceptance from the Almighty!
Now I ask you: is there any other approval that you need? I make it a point to apply the acceptance of the almighty in my life as it answers our need to be accepted!
Join me again next week when we will discuss how our relationship with God is inseparable from His righteous regulations.
For the Glory of God,
PBKSR