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QUESTION 13
There are those that tell us they are saved, so they can do as they please, because they are not under law. Is this right?

ANSWER:
The answer to this depends on what is meant "do as they please" When a person is truly saved they are out of the realm of the "old creation," in Adam, and in a "new creation," in Christ. In this creation all things become new. - 2 Corinthians 5:17. This includes new desires. The mark of a true believer is that "they delight in the law of God after the inward man," Romans 7:22. Paul is saying here, that he has that delights (is pleased) to do the law (will) of God. He did not have the power in himself to do that, but he had the desire. - Romans 7:1 in His people. "For it is God that worketh in you both to will (work His desires) and to do His good pleasure."- Philippians 2:12.

A person that wants to "do as they please" and not desire to do the will of God should have serious doubts about being saved at all. Romans 7 show us that human effort cannot do the will of God, but the desire is there. As for not being under law, I am not sure what is meant. If one means that you can break God's laws and get away with it they are absolutely wrong. God will judge the lost lawbreaker at the great white throne, Revelation 20:11. He will judge the Christians now that wilfully sins against Him, 1 Corinthians 11:31-32. The grace of God in Christ "does not disannul" God's law, but establishes it. "Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid, yea, we establish it," Romans 3:31 and Romans 8:3. What is meant in Romans 6:14 by not being "under law" simply means a Christian is not under it curse - Galatians 3:13. It means that the law does not produce righteousness in us. Romans 10:4- Christ produces what the law requires--righteousness. Salvation is not by law or works, but it works! Do you have it?

All comments and questions to: Harold Smith

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Updated July 2009, by Shelly Allen