Devotion 

The Law of Life

Frances Taylor 

Freedom! Doesn't it sound great? We all want freedom, but what is true freedom? According to Paul it is freedom in the law of the Spirit of life in Christ. Unfortunately, most of us don't want freedom, they want license. Freedom does not mean that a person can do whatever he/she wants. We are given free will so that we can choose the GOOD. My freedom ends where yours begins and there are people who forget that.

When we follow Jesus law of love we are truly free. We don't even have to worry about the commandments because they are all based on love – love of God and love of others. Later in Romans, Paul talks about this in a question about the obligation of the Jewish people to follow the law as opposed to the Christians who are no longer subject to the law because they need to follow the way of love. We must follow civil laws, but first we must know them. For example, we must know the speed limit and follow it when we drive. We must know tax laws, housing laws, all kinds of laws depending on our own situations. Ignorance of the law is not an excuse if caught in violation of them. As Paul said, he didn't know it was wrong to covet except for the commandment. But a law of love lets us know that envy is not right, that we should be happy for others who succeed. Following the example of Jesus will free us from the law of sin and death so that we might live love now and in eternity.

Prayer 

Lord, help us to understand the true meaning of freedom and always choose to do the most loving thing in all situations. Amen.