Recently, an acquaintance came to me upset about a sermon she’d heard (different congregation) because the pastor said we need to confess and repent of our sins and try earnestly to follow God’s laws.  I asked what was upsetting about this message.  She explained that we live under the New Covenant and that the law is death.  She argued we don’t have to live by the law because we live by grace.  She said God’s grace made us perfect.  That we become saints, and are no longer sinners, when we believe in Jesus.  I offered that we could be both saints and sinners simultaneously, as Martin Luther points out, and that it’s because we can’t live up to God’s laws and perfection on our own that we need God’s grace.  Yet, that doesn’t mean we should stop trying to do what is right.

Think of it this way.  My daughter, Caroline, has had her driver’s permit for almost a week now.  She has had to study and learn Florida’s driving laws: wear a seat belt, pull over when an emergency vehicle passes, stop for school buses, do not text and drive, stop fully at stop signs, etc.  These laws were created to protect and save lives.  Without them, driving on the roads would be chaotic.  True, people wouldn’t get in trouble for breaking driving laws, but many accidents would happen and, consequently, lives would be lost.  I care that Caroline learns the rules of the road (and Mom and Dad’s additional rules) because I want her to be a safe driver.  I don’t want her to get hurt or to accidentally hurt another.  I care because I love her.  Driving laws are good.  They are life-giving.

God’s laws were also created to protect us and give abundant life.  God gave us laws for our good.  God gave us these laws because God loves us.  God didn’t give us laws so God could catch us doing something wrong and punish us; rather, God gave us laws to help us live abundantly. God’s laws are not death-dealing; they’re life-giving.  That’s why we should continue to follow God’s laws- because they are for our good, and because we love and trust God, knowing God loves us.  Read Romans 7:1-13, and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally!

Annie