Hi Phil
I personally am not one who believes that the LAW is done away with, as in abolished.
If you have a contract with someone and both parties fulfill the terms of the contract, is it abolished? No, it is fulfilled and it still exists.
Trying to put things in a very simple format.... the Law still exists for all those who are UNDER the Law, all those who have NOT come into GRACE.
There is the OLD Covenant and the NEW Covenant.... now if one is under the Old Covenant and NOT doing sacrifices according to the requirements of the Old Covenant, what do they have?
If one is under the New Covenant of Grace, are they bound to laws and regulations and do's and don'ts?
I hope you are married lol!! I would like to use it as an illustration or two.... I am and VERY happily I might add
When you married your wife, it was for better or worst, richer or poorer, sickness and in health until death do you part.
Now, if one of you dies, is this Covenant still in effect? Obiviously no. And the party remaining is free to marry again should they so desire.
The other side of this example.....
When you go out of the house, away from your spouse, do you remember this covenant and have to remind yourself that you can't be with someone else, intimately I am speaking of.... that you said for richer or poorer, sickness and in health etc...?
Of course not... but why not?
Because you LOVE this other person so much, you would never intentionally set about to hurt them, but, you also don't have to remind yourself that you are married because it is now a part of your NATURAL NATURE.
Before marriage, there is a certain mindset that accompanies singlehood or singleness... when one enters into a relationship, their thoughts begin to change and when they enter into the covenant of marriage.... not only their thoughts but, their nature changes.
As it does with parenthood, grandparenthood etc...
I am not in covenant with God based on rules and regulations any more then I am with my husband... I am in covenant with God out of Love and Respect of who He is and all that He has done for me and does for me. Just as I am in Covenant with my husband based on Love and Respect, all he brings to my life.
Blessings!
Char
