I have been discussing with a few friends "the laws written on our hearts" in the New Covenant and found some old notes. There's much more that can be said about this, but perhaps these simple notes can be an encouragement to some who are not sure what those "laws" are:
Hebrews 10:16 - “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,”… What are His laws? Are they the laws of Moses - the “thou shalt nots”? Are they the burdensome laws of the Old Covenant that were a yoke so heavy that Peter said even their forefathers couldn’t bear? [Acts 15:10-11] No! 1 John 5:3 - For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. Why is it without burden? Because we live by the power of the Holy Spirit from within, not according to the demands of the law on our flesh. The Law was about the faithfulness of man and dependence on the flesh because the Old Covenant believers did not have the Holy Spirit within. Grace is about the faithfulness of God to lead us from within. Romans 7:6 - But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter. I like that verse in the Amplified: Romans 7:6, Amplified - But now we are discharged from the Law and have terminated all intercourse with it, having died to what once restrained and held us captive. So now we serve not under [obedience to] the old code of written regulations, but [under obedience to the promptings] of the Spirit in newness [of life]. Romans 5:5 - the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Laws with no burden are laws fulfilled by the love of God poured out in our hearts. The external demands on the flesh for righteousness (the 10 Commandments) have been replaced with the internal promptings of the Holy Spirit - the life and love of Jesus living through us: James 2:8 - [it’s the - ]…the royal law of love... James 1:25 - [it’s the - ]...the perfect law of liberty... The perfect law of liberty is not the ‘have to’s’; it’s the ‘want to’s.’ You look in the mirror of Jesus, explode with thanksgiving because He has made you righteous and you effortlessly become a doer of the work, and you are blessed in everything you do. When you know how much you’re loved, you love people and you “fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:1-2 - Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. That’s a far cry from the law of Moses: Exodus 21:23-35 - …you shall give life for life, 24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, 25 burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe. The law of Christ is not the law of Moses. It’s not the ministry of death and condemnation. It’s the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus! [Romans 8:2] John said: 1 John 3:23 - And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment. In the New Covenant: We don't forgive to be forgiven. We forgive because we ARE FORGIVEN. Ephesians 4:32 - And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. ["forgave" - aorist tense - past tense action never to be repeated! You have been forgiven! Now you can forgive!] We don't love to be loved. We love because we ARE LOVED. 1 John 4:19, NASB - We love, because He first loved us. 1 John 4:10, NLT - This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ And here are some more notes on the Ten Commandments, "grace-style" (from the Unveiling Jesus book): "Living from the Inside Out" Grace will cause an inner transformation that produces fruit to life that behavior modification could never achieve. Here’s what Grace (from the inside) will do that the Law (from the outside) never could: First commandment: The Law commands “Thou shalt have NO other gods before Me.” …but only Grace will give you a heart of worship for your King springing forth from a revelation of His amazing grace and extravagant love. Second commandment: The Law commands “Thou shalt NOT make unto thee any graven image.” …but only Grace can capture your heart’s desires more than the things of the world as your eyes are opened to the wealth of your inheritance in Christ and every spiritual blessing stored up for you in heavenly places. Third commandment: The Law commands “Thou shalt NOT take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.” …but only Grace will inspire words of praise and honor from a heart overflowing with gratitude. Fourth commandment: The Law commands “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy,” …but only Grace gives you uninterrupted rest in perpetual fellowship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Fifth commandment: The Law will commands “Honor thy father and thy mother,” …but only Grace opens your ears to hear your parents’ heart of love for you and the ability to love them back. Where there has been abuse and neglect, Grace releases your heavenly Father’s heart for restoration, commitment to healing, and the ability to forgive just as you have been forgiven. Sixth commandment: The Law commands “Thou shalt NOT kill.” …but only Grace will give you a love that will cover over a multitude of sins. Seventh commandment: The Law commands “Thou shalt NOT commit adultery.” …but only Grace will give you passion for our spouse. Eighth commandment: The Law commands “Thou shalt NOT steal.” …but only Grace gives you a heart that trusts the Lord to provide. Ninth commandment: The Law commands “Thou shalt NOT bear false witness against thy neighbor.” …but only Grace will give you the security to tell the truth - a security that comes from knowing that if God is for you, who can be against you? Tenth commandment: The law commands “Thou shalt NOT covet.” …but only Grace will give you contentment with what you have. ~ Tricia Gunn
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