Freedom of the Law

(Psa 119:45 KJV)  And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.

(Proverbs 20, also read)

Here in a discussion of the law we are told we can “walk” (1980) at “liberty” (7342).  What a surprising statement in the Old Testament.  Or is it?  So much of our view of law is molded by Paul reacting to the Judaizers who were following him around and trying to get people circumcised.  The problem was not actually the circumcision but the stress they seemed to be putting on it as being necessary for salvation.  The details of the law can be a problem if you look at them as hoops to jump through or boxes to check off.  

Or, it can be freeing.  Reading in Psalms gives you the other side of the coin on the law.  Here it is clear that the person who has a focus of looking for God’s wisdom will be able to walk in freedom.  It is because his trust is in God and not in the ritual.  James uses a similar approach when he talks about the law of liberty.

So?  Don’t look to rules and regulations as a force of salvation.  Look to an awareness of the potholes to give you the ability to relax in a world full of holes.  Trust and obey.