An analogy shows similarities in some respects between things otherwise considered unlike, showing partial resemblance.
Usually, my analogies use a part aimed at moving you (emotionally), but showing no real change in information, just in outlook and perspective.
This is not to be considered an analogy ...it's only supposed to make the point I'm attempting to make.
As we live, if we don't live within the law ...and are seen as in violation of the law, we may have to pay a fine, or even go to jail.
There are Christians who are said to be those who live the law ...and they are often called legalistic by those who feel those standards are also imposed upon others.
It may be closer to an accurate view if we also look at another kind of law ...the law of gravity, which simply states that "what goes up, must come down"; unless, of course, it should leave our atmosphere and travels far enough in space. At that point it may be confusing what up and down is ...unless the goal is to return from hence we came.
The law of sin is opposite to the law of gravity to a Christian, in the fact that what finds itself getting down, must come up. Otherwise, sin usually behaves in both a simplistic and a complex fashion. It becomes more complex as it gets a firmer grip upon you. The solution is simple, but the rationalization seems to grow complex, a woven web of deceit that entraps us.
Sin is separation from God ..or violating the way He wants us to be. And if we get out of His atmosphere, we can travel in any direction, and often don't know up from down.
If a person goes to jail for violating a certain law, then perhaps bail is set. Someone may have to put up bail for you to get released. As Christians, we know Jesus paid our debt ...and we may view ourselves as free, and we are free of eternal judgment. That's saying, free of judgment of bad eternal consequences ...as Jesus judges in our behalf, but before that time, we may not be released from the burden of sin. And we may not even view sin as a burden ...but rather as joy.
I want to look at two rather different types of persons, with quite different perspectives on life ...while on their way to jail. I've not been personally associated with anyone who'd committed the type of crime that would warrant them being locked up ...aside from the countless ones whose sentence was already set.
Working in a prison, I've seen all sorts of attitudes, but here I'm referring to the ones I've seen on more than one occasion on film or in the movies.
The first young man is headed for jail, and he says, "You just watch and see ...my dad is going to get me outta here in no time!"
And the lawyer usually shows up, not the dad ...but the young man smiles, knowing how influential his dad is and knowing the charge won't stick.
The second young man gets put in jail ...and the dad visits, with a very concerned look. The dad listens to the charges, his facial expressions showing his degree of disappointment ...and he maintains that same demeanor as he enters the cell to talk to his son.
Likely, the dad will bail out his son ...but the major impact is with the realization of the seriousness of the crime, and "I love you, Son, please don't do it again." And they will await trial, and hope for probation.
With Satan as the Accuser, the charges won't stick when we have Jesus representing us. Yet, one of the main purposes for us here on earth is to represent Him ...as our God.
I'd lean towards seeing our Heavenly Father more as One who has already sent His Son to put up what it cost, but who'd like to personally visit us in our arrested state ...letting us feel the disappointment, and lending towards our repentance prior to our release.
Yes, we are free from being captive to the throngs of eternal condemnation ...by looking to Jesus, as our Savior. But, we are not free from the struggles here on earth ...and are not to consider ourselves as free of obligations. We need to do more than just think we can live as a good example ...and people will realize it is because we are Christians.
Yes, I know many atheists who are good examples, but they are not representing to us who God is. They may follow the direction of some moral compass ...and help point you in a direction, but it fails to point us to God. Without God, there is little more than just our opinion to help maintain a moral society ...when that society can change the definition of morality
by majority opinion, or the whims of a few convincing gifted speakers.
I know I don't always speak accurately, but it is not my speech that matters ...as He can speak for Himself, and He has.
The Word of God is available to us ...and we should read it, and let Him speak to us through that Bible that otherwise would be gathering dust.
