Matt Ch 22 V 35-40. Matt Ch 5 V 17 . John Ch 15 V 9-14. I'm guessing that everyone on this site obeys the laws of their land and that we all know others who also obey the laws of their land . Some of these that we know may not b Christians , maybe they r of other faiths or atheists . Does that make them righteous in God's eyes ? Why do these none Christians obey the laws ? Out of love ? Or out of FEAR of the punishment for breaking them ? Imprisonment or fines ? Does obeying the laws of the land mean that a person is nice ? Kind ? Generous ? Soft hearted ? Compassionate ? I don't think it does , I think it means that they r FEARFUL of the consequences if they get caught . That's why they obey it . It's easy to say " I haven't done anything wrong , I haven't broken any laws , I'm innocent ". Isaiah Ch 29 V 13+14 , Levi 7 V 22-27 , Levi Ch 17 V 10-14 , Luke Ch 22 V 20 , John Ch 6 V 47 66 . Why did they draw back from Jesus and walk no more with him ? Because he was telling them to break the law of Moses and drink blood . They weren't prepared to let go of the old and embrace the new law which is expressed in one word LOVE . Not FEAR . Isaiah Ch 51 V 4-8 , Jeremiah Ch 31 V 31-34 , Isaiah Ch 65 V 24 ,Isaiah Ch 30 V 18-21 , John Ch 14 V 6 , all of Galatians especially Ch 2 V 21 and Ch 3 V 18-25 . There is no fear in love .
God judges the secretes of the heart of man, it's not what you do or don't do it why you do it that matters. But Jesus said if we break man's law we will do every day of our sentence, wasn't it unlawful for David to eat the show bread. Wasn't Jesus and the disciples ordered by the leaders not to speak. How about Daniel? We are now under the perfect law of liberty and yes we are to obey every authority we are under, but nobody is obeying God's word our ultimate and final authority now are we? Do you know what counts? trying your best and the desire to. but remember Abraham's belief was counted as righteousness and when you believe in Jesus yours is to. A righteous man falleth 7 times BUTT GETS UP. God knows we can't perfectly obey his law nor man's law that's why God he sent his son to be the perpetration for our sins. hypocrites remove the log out of one's own eye before removing the tiny splinter out of your bothers eye.
1 Peter 4:8
And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
1 Corinthians 13:13
And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
1 Corinthians 16:14
Let all your things be done with charity.
Love isn't charity, charity is the manifestation of love, love at work.
Righteousness is simple doing right and love fulfills all the law
I think people obey civil laws for various reasons. You have stated some in your post. I know many people who are not Christians who obey civil laws or behave decently and they comment that it is just the right thing to do. I think that this reflects that knowledge of right and wrong has been written in our consciences by God whether we are believers or not. Some people have an inborn personality tendency that bends toward challenging rules and authority and others have an inborn personality tendency to be compliant. I've worked around very young children and infants all of my adult life and have observed these differences in children even in infancy/toddlerhood. My three sons were of the compliant group and parenting them was very easy. But I have a few nieces who were so challenging even from infancy. Upbringing does have some influence on these personality tendencies, it seems.
I have known many non believers who are very kind, giving, courteous, and morally upright in the way they live their lives. I have also known some who were believers from a young age brought up in a believing home who went on to be rebellious, law breaking, risk taking, and contrary in their teen and young adult years. So, perhaps it is best not to stereotype people's behaviors by their spiritual state.
God, by His unsearchable wisdom, created each of us individually and placed in our natural personalities certain traits and tendencies. He alone knows the plans He has for each person and He alone brings things to fruition in each of us according to His purpose and will.
For us who know the Lord, we should care to be godly in our lives both in private and publicly. It is always good for us to do so. Our godly life can attract some who are are pleased with how we live our lives, knowing they can trust us to do what is right around them; and it will repel others who feel convicted by our lifestyle or prefer to hang with those who disobey
1 Peter 4:8
And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
1 Corinthians 13:13
And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
1 Corinthians 16:14
Let all your things be done with charity.
Love isn't charity, charity is the manifestation of love, love at work.
Righteousness is simple doing right and love fulfills all the law
I think people obey civil laws for various reasons. You have stated some in your post. I know many people who are not Christians who obey civil laws or behave decently and they comment that it is just the right thing to do. I think that this reflects that knowledge of right and wrong has been written in our consciences by God whether we are believers or not. Some people have an inborn personality tendency that bends toward challenging rules and authority and others have an inborn personality tendency to be compliant. I've worked around very young children and infants all of my adult life and have observed these differences in children even in infancy/toddlerhood. My three sons were of the compliant group and parenting them was very easy. But I have a few nieces who were so challenging even from infancy. Upbringing does have some influence on these personality tendencies, it seems.
I have known many non believers who are very kind, giving, courteous, and morally upright in the way they live their lives. I have also known some who were believers from a young age brought up in a believing home who went on to be rebellious, law breaking, risk taking, and contrary in their teen and young adult years. So, perhaps it is best not to stereotype people's behaviors by their spiritual state.
God, by His unsearchable wisdom, created each of us individually and placed in our natural personalities certain traits and tendencies. He alone knows the plans He has for each person and He alone brings things to fruition in each of us according to His purpose and will.
For us who know the Lord, we should care to be godly in our lives both in private and publicly. It is always good for us to do so. Our godly life can attract some who are are pleased with how we live our lives, knowing they can trust us to do what is right around them; and it will repel others who feel convicted by our lifestyle or prefer to hang with those who disobey
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