Today I reported for jury duty and it got me thinking about the law. In court, cases are divided between civil and criminal law. Was a crime committed or a right violated? When it comes to God, the law we refer to is the Law of Moses, this includes the Ten Commandments which God himself inscribed on stone tablets. There are 613 commandments recorded in the Old Testament. This is the old covenant. But what about the new covenant?

And the Holy Spirit also testifies that this is so.

For he says,

“This is the new covenant I will make with my people on that day, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.”

Then he says,

“I will never again remember their sins and lawless deeds.”

And when sins have been forgiven, there is no need to offer any more sacrifices.

Hebrews 10:15-18 (NLT)

We have broken God’s laws. This is why we need a savior, one who will redeem us. When we accept Jesus’ payment for our breaking of the law, we are no longer accountable for our sentence or our restitution due for breaking it. So now what?

All things are lawful [that is, morally legitimate, permissible], but not all things are beneficial or advantageous. All things are lawful, but not all things are constructive [to character] and edifying [to spiritual life]. Let no one seek [only] his own good, but [also] that of the other person.

1 Corinthians 10:23-24 (AMP)

Paul is specifically talking about some dietary laws that were in question. Are we taking it out of context, extending our liberties to other areas? Go back to the verse in Hebrews. The new covenant, (the new governing laws) are worked into us by the Holy Spirit.

Sin will not be your master, because you are not under law. You now live under God’s grace.

Romans 6:14 (ERV)

The law is transformed from the letter of the law to the heart of the law.

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)

We are no longer bound to the Law of Moses, yet we are not lawless. We have a new way of living as the Holy Spirit lives in us. We can live free, because in him, we live, and move, and have our being. (Acts 17:28)

Grace & Peace,

Sandy