Are You Still Coveting Legs?
Steve Sampson

A family has a dog that has bitten the legs of several passers-by. Not wanting to deal with lawsuits, they put the dog
in a large cage and, to be extra sure, put a large chain on his neck.  Now the problem is solved externally, because
no ones’ legs are being bitten.  But, although chained and within a fence, the dog is still coveting legs.

The dog hasn’t changed at all, but has only been restrained.  This is what the law does; it doesn’t change us, it only
restrains us.  Although we are not committing the act of sin, our hearts are still filled with the desire to do that which
is not lawful.  Paul (whose company I’m glad to be in) expressed the same frustration, as he found himself helpless
in dealing with his old nature.

For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform
what is good I do not find.  For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.
Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.  (Rom 7:18-20 NKJ)

How many times have we heard about a child growing up in a Christian environment, then running headlong into
rebellion?  The heart was never changed.  Only the exterior pressure kept the child in line. When the gate was
opened, it was obvious that the heart was never changed.

Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh,
and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in My statutes and keep My judgments and do them; and they
shall be My people, and I will be their God.  (Ezek 11:19-20 NKJ)

From Rules To Relationship

The Old Covenant was rooted in rules.  The Ten Commandments were clear-cut commands of do’s and don’ts for
a lifestyle acceptable to God.  When Jesus arrived on the scene, He didn’t come to do away with the Law (the
rules), but to fulfill it.

Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.  (Matt 5:17
NKJ)

Through Jesus, we have been called into relationship with God.  No longer do we serve God out of fear, but out of
love.

'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your
mind,' and 'your neighbor as yourself.'  (Luke 10:27 NKJ)

It becomes a heart covenant, a relationship that far supersedes the keeping of rules.  It is based on love, not fear
and dread.  Now when I sin, it is no longer breaking a rule, it is violating a relationship.  Since it is now a love
relationship, hearts are involved, not just actions.

From Actions To Motives

The Old Covenant scrutinized our actions, but the New Covenant scrutinizes our motives.  Under the Old Covenant,
the believer’s responsibility was just to keep his actions in line with the law.  But the New Covenant, although filled
with mercy, searches our motives continually.

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division
of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there
is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give
account.
(Heb 4:12-13 NKJ)

From Performance To Response

Coming from most evangelical and liturgical backgrounds is a mindset that attempts to gain God’s acceptance by
performance.  Confusing religion with relationship, we often fall back into religion, which is nothing more than man
trying to please God and find acceptance through what we regard as what God wants.

Many -- if not most Christians -- are still bound to performance, still trying to gain brownie points with God through
their efforts.  There is enough religion and Phariseeism in most of us that needs to be rooted out.

But God doesn’t want out performance; He wants our response.  No longer are we living by our own initiative,
conjuring up actions or self-denials to please God.  Now we are to desire to be sensitive to His initiative.  To have
eyes and ears dedicated to paying attention to the promptings and impulses of the Holy Spirit.

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.  (Rom 8:14 NKJ)