We live in a modern world of rules, regulations, and laws. Did you know our government has added around 90,000 laws to the books since 1995? Yet, the lawlessness of its citizens continues to spiral out of control. A quick internet search reveals that the average person breaks 3 to 5 federal laws daily without even knowing it. But many people don’t seem to care, break many more, and go to great lengths to escape justice.
For example, almost every driver will break the speed limit while sitting behind the wheel but never think twice. How often do you do things you know are wrong or against the law but do not consider the consequences associated with breaking that law? That is until the police pull you over, your heart goes into your throat, and you fear the worst.
Think of a time when you were caught for disobeying some rule. It could be a traffic infraction, criminal law, or disobeying your parents as a child. Who among us has not tried to get away with it, attempting to lie or twist the truth to avoid the consequences of our actions?
Did you know the basis for all laws goes back to the beginning when God created mankind with a conscience that we would all know right from wrong? This is why every governmental institution, from the start, has made laws and rules to live by and established law enforcement to keep the peace and tranquility of a nation or community. Break the law, and there will be consequences. Obey the law, and you can continue to live with your freedoms intact.
God has established His Law for all mankind to follow and obey. He called them the Ten Commandments, and every one of His Laws since has been based on two fundamental principles. First, love God and treat your neighbor how you want to be treated.
Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:29-31
The problem is that just like most people have broken Federal Law without knowing it, everyone has also broken God’s Law. Just take a few minutes and think about how many lies you have told your entire life. How about stealing, cheating, or fraud? God finds many things people do sinful, such as hatred, lust, murder, envy, gossip, idolatry, and sexually immoral behavior.
Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10
God commands all mankind to turn from their sins to follow and obey His Law; otherwise, He will bring judgment against them and give a sentence they will never escape. He does not take any pleasure in punishing you. Still, He will because, being a perfect and holy God, He can not allow wickedness into Heaven. Therefore, God must bring justice to every sinner; He will punish everyone unless their sin debt is dealt with beforehand.
“But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” Revelation 21:8
But just as a judge may have mercy on a lawbreaker and give a warning, God will do even better because of His great mercy, grace, and love toward mankind. He sent His son Jesus Christ to die and take the wrath you deserve. Jesus suffered and died for your sins. He paid the debt for all your lifetime of sinning. Then He rose from the dead three days later, defeating sin and death so you may be forgiven if you cry out to Him for forgiveness.
He calls you to turn from your lawless lifestyle. Jesus says you must repent and follow Him for salvation. Jesus promises He will forgive you for your sins and remove the debt of sin you owe Him. If you put your trust in God, He will put His righteousness upon you, giving you a new heart and mind that you may follow and obey Him. Then He will provide you with salvation, and Heaven will be your eternal destination instead of Hell.
But He gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves, therefore, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you. James 4:6-10
You may be trying to run from the law and keep everything you have done that breaks man’s law a secret. You may even get away with violating the law your entire life, but you will never escape God. There is nothing hidden from Him. He has recorded every sin you have ever committed in His book. There will come a day of reckoning when you must give Him an account of every sin.
But there is hope. There is a way to be released from the penalty of God’s Law. Turn from your sins today, and humble yourself before the Lord because He loves you. Repent, and ask Jesus Christ for forgiveness. He loves you so much that if you come to Him with a genuine sorrowful heart for breaking His Commandments, He will have mercy on you, forgive you, and grant you eternal life. He will remove the burden of sin from your conscience, remove your desire for lawlessness, and give you hope and joy for the future and a home in Heaven forever.
The Soul Sower 