Why is it that you do not steal something you have always wanted?
If you saw it just sitting there in a store for the taking, but you know it belongs to the store and not you, why do you not take it?
Is it the threat of jail time (punishment)?
Is it because you are afraid you would get caught and suffer embarrassment (ridicule)?
Is it because it is against the law and you don't want to break the law (lawful obedience)?
Is it another reason?
If you could be guaranteed that you wouldn't be caught, would you steal it? If instead of ridicule all your friends would be in awe of you for having it, would you steal it? If the United States passed a law saying you could take whatever you wanted from a store on a certain day, and it was against the law for the store to stop you, would you steal it?
The government has laws because, without them, people who do not have a higher authority than themselves would do whatever they want, even if it harmed others.
God gave us laws for a different reason.
Moral laws, whether realized or not, come from the word of God. They are given to show us righteousness and reveal to us God's expectations for man. They are given as a tutor or guide to point us to God!
The laws of God are guidances but are not the means of salvation in His presence (with God)
Paul says in Galatians 3:25 NASB95 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.
Jesus is God. Where the law points us to God, faith in Jesus takes us to God. John 14:6 NASB95 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.
When faith comes and is placed in Jesus we are no longer under the law. However, we, as followers of Jesus, keep the law because it points to God whom we are following.
I don't steal, kill, covet, lie, etc., just because it is against the law but rather because it is against Jesus. It is not out of fear of punishment (Jesus took that). It is not out of a desire not to be ridiculed (I will get that by following Jesus). It is not out of lawful obedience. It is out of Love for my God!
I no longer need a tutor I instead have faith in My Savior.
Galatians 3:26 NASB95 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
Why do you not break the law? Is it because of faith in Christ or for another reason?
It is important for you to know why.
If it is not faith it isn't salvation.
Love Bro. Scott