Legal or Lawless

The practice of creating a code of laws that must be followed to avoid hell and God’s displeasure is a religion called Legalism.

The practice of casting off all restraint and refusing to submit to any form or regulation over your behavior is a religion called Lawlessness.

The practice of being led by the Spirit of Jesus, and by doing so becoming mature sons and daughters to Yahweh, is a condition called Righteousness. There is no law against it (Galatians 5:23).

Paul wrote to the churches in Corinth in what we call chapter 6 of 1 Corinthians a discourse on justice and laws and righteousness. In verse 12, he wrote, “All things are lawful for me.”

If all things are lawful for me, too, which I infer is true, then I am not responsible for searching out what any law says about my thoughts or behavior. I should, instead, seek the Spirit regarding what things are “helpful,” as he finished the sentence.

I should be focused on seeking Life and avoiding behavior and attitude that leads to death.