THE LAWMAN

In the movie "Judge Dredd", Dredd (Sylvester Stallone) has a well-known line - "I am the law!" Funny how movies, even bad ones can make you think about spiritual parallels. God, in providing all the rules and regulations of the Old Testament was saying to His people and future believers - "I am the law! No one can fulfill the law except a perfect person." That perfect person was the very Word(s) of God that came from Father God's mouth, spoke everything into existence, and holds all things together (Colossians 1:16-17). That perfect person was the very Words that spoke the law to follow in the first place. That perfect human who followed every commandment flawlessly, fulfilled The Law in Himself and was killed as an innocent sacrifice for freedom from the punishment of The Law is Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

When I was a kid there used to be a healthy respect for police officers. If a police officer visited my elementary school, no matter if it was an innocent visit like Career Day, you could hear comments like - "Here comes a policeman, you better watch out...you better be good...he's coming for you." All of these statements were born out of a fear or deep respect for the law and it's enforcer - the policeman.

Maybe that fear is also birthed from a terrible habit that develops early. That habit is cutting corners, bending the law a little, and/or seeing how much we can get away with before The Authority appears again. It is certainly not a matter of not knowing what the law is because we are breaking it and consciously looking out for The Lawman. The concern is we want what we want, how we want it, when we want it....and not get caught!

Mr. Policeman is not everywhere at all times (omni-present). However, with the threat of police car traps on the road, undercover police in shops and security cameras one would think that this would slow people down a little. Maybe for some. Others it makes the dare more challenging. However, where Mr. Policeman can only be around at limited times and places to monitor our behavior, those who put their trust in God through Christ have an ever-present policeman. "God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5) Also Christ said, "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." But God is a special law enforcement officer.

God is a Judge, Jury, and Lawman that deals severe outcomes to law breakers. However, The Law Enforcer Himself, who manifested as The Angel of The Lord in the Old Testament, became human, Jesus, and fulfilled The Law, taking the wrath away from us - the punishment that brought us peace was upon him (Isaiah 53:5). His role increased and to those who are saved by grace through faith in Christ Jesus, He became our Advocate, our Mediator. Jesus the Merciful, Compassionate, Forgiving and Faithful.

He is always around. Whether you are behaving as you should or misbehaving, you can never escape the long arm of the Lord. His policing of Christians now is all through the promises we find in Him. All the ways of living in and through the Spirit are now the standard. Learning the lessons He has for you within His plan for your life will grant you - mercy, compassion, forgiveness, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, etc.

For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. (2 Chronicles 16:9)