365 Ways to Know God by Elmer Towns June 10

365 Ways to Know God by Elmer Towns

(Devotional Readings on the Names of God)

June 10

JESUS: THE LAWGIVER

There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy.

Who are you to judge another?

JAMES 4:12

The Lord is the Lawgiver, He runs the world through natural laws such as the law of gravity. No one can break these laws without suffering consequences. He also runs the spiritual world through moral laws. Because no one has perfectly kept all laws, no one can enter Heaven. Jesus fulfilled the Law in His death; He nailed the law to His cross. No longer will broken laws keep you from going to Heaven (Colossians 2:14-15). Christianity is not about keeping rules or laws; it's about knowing Jesus. When you please Him, you satisfy all the laws, for Jesus created the laws; He is the Lawgiver.

Lord, it's sometimes hard to keep the laws, because I have a rebellious streak

in my heart. Help me submit to You. Help me live by Your principles.

Don't be just a law keeper; these people are called legalists. Look behind laws to see their purpose, because laws were given to point you to God. Jesus said the greatest law of all is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, and the second is to love your neighbor as yourself (see Matthew 22:37-40). When you follow the Lawgiver and live by the meaning of His laws, you will have a worthwhile life.

Lord, forgive me for just keeping laws for legalistic purposes.

Show me Your purpose behind Your laws. I love You with all

my heart, my soul and my mind. Show me the real meaning

behind Your laws, and give me the right attitude to live by

them. Give me the power to keep them. Amen.

Reading: Matthew 22:35-40

Key Thought: Focus on Jesus, not on impersonal laws.