Friday | 21 February 2020
A person is born into the world carnal but innocent. That is, they have another law within their heart, but they have not sinned in the womb. When we were born, we were naked and in need. As Job testified, ‘Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.’ Job 1:21.
A baby is born completely dependent upon their parents for sustenance. Their cry for nourishment is innocent and natural. However, it is not long before carnality begins to find expression within them as they covet, with emotion, what they believe will give them fulfilment. The Scriptures identify this carnal response as being the foolishness that is bound up in the heart of a child. The Scriptures teach that ‘the rod of correction will drive it far from him’. Pro 22:15.
Sin is manifest, or revealed, to be at work within us when we come into contact with the commands of God that are articulated as His Law. Rom 7:9. This does not mean that those who have not heard God’s word, or Law, have no sin; rather, they have no awareness of their sin. Paul explained this point, saying, ‘I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, “You shall not covet”.’ Rom 7:7.
The Law of God commands us to love the Lord our God, ourselves, and our neighbours as ourselves, with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength. Mar 12:29-31. The Law of God is not self-centred in any way. The Law of God is a fellowship. It is called in Scripture ‘the Royal Law’, because it is the expression of who God is as a trinity. Jas 2:8. God is love, and in Him there is no partiality. 1Jn 4:16. Rom 2:11. The only way to fulfil the Law is to be born of His life.
Further Study:
Galatians 5
Daily Proverb:
References:
Pro 22:15
Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of correction will drive it far from him.
Rom 7:9
I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died.
Mar 12:29-31
Jesus answered him, ‘The first of all the commandments is: “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.” This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” There is no other commandment greater than these.’
Jas 2:8
If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ you do well.
1Jn 4:16
And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.
Rom 2:11
For there is no partiality with God.