January 12

Written by Bill Grandi on January 12th, 2021

There are a lot of people who mistakenly think the laws of God are more like a noose around the neck as opposed to thinking they are for our good. “God is a cosmic killjoy,” they say. “All He wants to do is to take the fun out of life.” “Why can’t I live my life the way I want to? After all, it is my life.”

Well, I suppose that is true. It is my/your life. And yes, I can live it any way I want. But that decision to do so also comes with consequences. Supposed we look at God’s laws in another light. Let’s suppose we are on a train. As long as we stick to the tracks we go along smoothly and on course. But if we jump the track and try to steer that train through grass or sand or whatever it is we run into, what will happen? It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure it out. You go nowhere. The train ends up stopped dead in its tracks. It is not doing and being what it was designed to be and WHERE it was designed to do it. We can complain all we want about the train being held to those tracks. We can say they are hindering its freedom.  But logic and reality say, “Nope.” Those tracks are actually serving their purpose.

The analogy may break down somewhere but the point is still true. The tracks are for the train’s safe operation. Why not see God’s laws in the same light? Throw off His laws and life goes haywire. There are consequences. Why not see true freedom in His laws? Why not see true love in them? Why not see God’s hand of care and concern in the restraint His law puts on us? That’s where true freedom is found-living for Him by His Word and not for ourselves by our rules.

“Father, help me to see Your laws as part of Your gracious love toward me instead of restrictions I see designed to box me in.”

 

6 Comments so far ↓

  1. Diane Ronzino says:

    Morning, Bill. I don’t think I have ever looked at God’s “laws” the way some people might. I thank God for that! I do love the picture you painted with your analogy. It clarifies it. Oh, if EVERYONE only knew Him as we do!

    • Bill Grandi says:

      I think a lot of it depends on whether you tend to be a legalist or not on one hand. The other hand is for those who are not followers of Christ but are looking for ways to stay away. Thanks for the comment Diane.

  2. That train analogy is spot on, Bill! We need God’s laws to help us navigate life smoothly and effectively. Jumping the tracks is never a good idea.
    Blessings!

  3. Ryan S says:

    I have heard a similar illustration in regards to guardrails on a road.

    The guardrails are there for OUR protection, not God’s. The guardrails insure that we stay on a path that is specifically designed for us…

    As you stated… It is our choice as to whether or not we stay inside the guardrails, but then it is the consequences of those choices that we must also accept.