Richard Hollerman

We know that God says something about “lawfulness” and “unlawfulness” in Scripture. Obviously, we are to be “lawful” in all that we do and we are not be “unlawful” in our doings. In fact, to be “unlawful” is to be sin. God says that we are always to obey the Law of God and submit to Him. On the other hand, we are refuse to break the law and do that which is contrary to the will of God.

Thus, we read (from the regular dictionary) that “lawful” means “conforming to, permitted by, or recognized by law or rules.” In other words, God wants us to be “lawful” and submissive to the “rule” of Scripture. Lawlessness may be defined by going to 1 John 3:4: “Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness and sin is lawlessness.” Sin is lawlessness since sin is “missing the mark” of God and His Law. It is lawlessness since it breaks and violates the “law” of God or the will of God.

Just now, a couple people are responding to my Facebook page and promoting a false teacher, who takes in millions, and they are defending him and his blasphemous lifestyle and message. I can’t look into their heart, of course, but the entire interchange is evident that they are giving the impression that he is an “unlawful” person who is “lawless” in many ways. Especially regarding his use of finances, his intake of finances, and his lifestyle, we must conclude that he is “lawless” in many respects. All of this is ungodly in the extreme.

Are you “lawful” or “unlawful”? Are you loving and serving the Lord, or are you disobeying Him in any particular? Look at your words, your lifestyle, and your relationships. In all of this, are you “lawful” to God, His will, His Law, and even to the civil government (providing that it is submissive to God)?

For example, Jesus said that we are not to divorce a wife (Matthew 19:9). Have you divorced? Jesus said that we are not to look on another women to “lust” for her (Matthew 5:27-28). Do you lust? Scripture says that we are not to “covet” or be at all greedy. How do you view money and that which money can buy? In other words, are you “lawful” or “unlawful” in such things and in a hundred other ways?