Laws Don't Change Hearts

On Tuesday, May 8 in the state of North Carolina, the Marriage Amendment successfully passed. This amendment upholds the biblical teaching that marriage is between one man and one woman.  I rejoice in the passing of this amendment, but not without proclaiming an important reminder.

Laws don't change hearts. The Gospel does!

We can pass laws rooted in the truth of Scripture to no avail.  Passing this amendment won't change the hearts and lives of those apart from Christ who live contrary to His teaching.  While it is important and right to do so, we must never lose sight of what brings real and lasting change in a person's life.  

Jesus Christ alone , by the glorious power of His grace and mercy in our lives, can change the heart.  When the heart is changed the life is changed.  The Bible teaches that from the heart flows all the issues of life.  Unless the heart is changed, they strive without hope to bring lasting change.

Remember Moses and Mount Sinai?  Remember the giving of the Law and the Ten Commandments?  The Law is good.  The commandments are good.  But not one law or command changed the hearts of God's people.  In fact, Paul says it was merely to demonstrate their inability to be good and merit the salvation of God.  Instead, the law was given to point out our desperate need for someone else to save us from our despicable condition.  God wanted us to look longingly for a Redeemer who could both meet the Law of God perfectly and provide salvation sufficiently.

The Law of God didn't provide salvation.  The Son of God, Jesus Christ, did by His death and resurrection.  This is the hope for salvation and true change.  

We have been given the mission of to make known the life-changing message of Jesus Christ to all the people of the world.  Unless individuals hear and embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, there can be no real change and no power in them to live according to God's standard.  

May we embrace the continuing mission of God in all the world to see hearts changed by the gospel of Jesus Christ!