Christian Laws

I have read through the posts and see one confusion. The Christian has no laws.The Old Testament laws act like laws in the United States. If you break one law, you must pay the penalty. If you were driving drunk, it is no defense to say you never killed or stole. If you broke one OT law, you needed a sacrifice to atone for your sin. Until then, your relationship with God was broken.The Christian is saved. He is part of the family. He does not need to worry about breaking a law and going to Hell. He is at peace.The Law of Love is like a human family. If dad says, "son, do your chores and clean the room." (Sub mom and daughter as you see fit) The child cleans to some minimal amt. it isn't enough. Over time, the child learns the minimal to satisfy the parent.Now Imagine that dad says, "Son, tomorrow is mom's B'day. Let's get the living room ready for a party." Son, who loves his mom very much, cleans and decorates far beyond what dad expected. There is no fear of punishment motivating the child.This is Agape love. The true Christian ends up more righteous than the most righteous person under the law. (See what Jesus said about John the Baptist.) This is why all the law is summed up in the Laws of loving God and loving the neighbor. (Laws in the sense of rules but not laws in the sense that they result in punishment.) The one who truly loves goes far beyond the law.

Just picture a person returning to church. Due to drugs or greed or some such, he has alienated/hurt everyone. His reception is very guarded and he needs to show repentance to proceed farther. Another who has attended, never hurting, never helping. He gets a mild welcome. The one who was active and went on to do, say, missionary work gets a hero's welcome. You see similar actions in families.Paul tells the Philippians that they are the jewels in his crown. Some enter heaven, barely. Some enter with a great celebration. We can take no other treasure than other people. We are a family.God gave us gifts to give to the church. Yes, God is intimately involved in all this, in ways we won't understand till we arrive home.Will some popular pastors who spent their time magnifying themselves end up with all their works burned despite their popularity? I think so.Finally, focus on loving and giving and not on trying to obey some rules. Focus outward, not inward.

It is amazing, how, once we have started focusing on "Christian Laws," that we immediately lose that which sets us apart spiritually and we become no different than other people who are focused on themselves.