“For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you.” Romans 13:3
I had a friend once who would pump his brakes every time he saw a law enforcement vehicle and he was never speeding. He had this over-the-top fear of getting a ticket, of which he had never had one. So he would hit the brakes when he saw a patrol car. I understood his idea of not wanting a ticket, but in my mind if he wasn’t speeding, he had nothing at all to fear.
Sadly, many Christians live their lives the same way. They never get to enjoy the journey of life for fear that they’re doing something wrong. They live their lives by constantly eating from the “Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil,” versus “The Tree of Life.” They constantly live under the shadow of the “shall nots” which is “Law Mindedness,” instead of “Righteous Mindedness.”
Romans 8:2 says, “For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” And, John 8:36 says, “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” Because Jesus fulfilled the Law on our behalf, we can live in the freedom that comes with that knowledge.
So how does that make you feel? Does that make you want to go out and sin more now that you know you’re free? Of course not! If you’re like most believers, it makes you grateful and causes you to want to live in the light of the righteousness you’ve been given. This is what right believing will do in our lives. Right believing will lead to right living, and in that God is glorified.
Today, rest in the freedom we’ve been given through Jesus Christ and enjoy the ride on the highway of life.