At school we often broke the rules. Many times, we left after the first class, jumped on our motorcycles, and went to play board games at a friend’s house without a care in the world. While our pals stayed in class.

I suspect jealousy made one of them grass us to the teacher. The next morning even before the bell had gone, we were standing in line at the principal’s office to take our punishment.

We didn’t have a positive experience with rules and regulations. For us, rules and regulations bound us and took our freedom away. The laws kept us in prison, or should I say in school, keeping us from doing what we wanted to.

When I look back today, I have a different perspective. The rules were meant to keep us safe and keep us from going outside the school where we couldn’t be protected. The rules had to ensure that we get an education so that we could be taught how to live life right. Clearly, we missed out.

Maybe this is how we all experience rules and regulations. First, we think they keep us in. They take away our freedom and want to prevent us from enjoying life fully.

But laws rather want to set us free. If we follow God’s prescriptions, we’re set free from the guilt, power, supremacy, and impact of sin. We don’t need to worry about who or what is watching us. We don’t need to fear what will happen to us around the next corner.

Jesus did not come to erase God’s law, but rather to give it a new perspective that will free us even more. He came and summarised the law in one short sentence, namely to love people.

When you live that love, you are actually doing all ten commandments. If you really love your parents, you will be honouring them. If you love someone, you won’t steal from them.

²⁵But whoever catches a glimpse of the revealed counsel of God—the free life!—even out of the corner of his eye, and sticks with it, is no distracted scatterbrain but a man or woman of action. That person will find delight and affirmation in the action.

When we do the wrong things, we feel guilty. Then we are afraid that we’ll be caught out and even that we won’t have eternal life. The freedom that Jesus brings is taken away from us and we’re bound by our own transgressions.

Therefore, let’s work hard to understand God’s will. Let’s make an effort to live God’s will, because freedom is found within God’s will. Even if we slip up now and then, we do know that Jesus has already born the punishment for us.

Scripture
James 1:22-27

Reflection
How do you feel about the law?
Does it make you feel locked in?
Does it make you feel free?

Prayer
Father, I don’t always feel that Your guidelines free me. Maybe I’m caught up in my feelings of guilt. Help me to break the chains and live in freedom. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.