Just Because it is Legal Does Not Mean it is Lawful!
My helpful guide to decision-making you need to know for true law and justice
To start this blog, let me say it out directly without any hesitation on my part: Just because it is legal does not mean it is lawful! I’d like you to think about what I just said because it is very important to differentiate between legal and lawful. The things I’m about to say are not for the faint of heart.
In today’s society, it is all too common to see people equate legality with morality. However, as the saying goes, just because something is legal does not necessarily mean it is lawful. Yes, understanding the difference between these two concepts is crucial to upholding justice and morality in our communities.
Legality refers to what is allowed by the law, while lawfulness refers to what is morally right or fair. Simply put, legality is a matter of following the rules, while lawfulness is about adhering to a deeper sense of justice and ethics.
One prime example of the difference between legality and lawfulness can be seen in the history of American slavery. For more than two centuries, it was legal in the United States to own slaves. However, this practice was clearly not morally justifiable, and many people fought against it on the grounds of its lawfulness. Even though slavery was technically legal, it was not lawful in the eyes of those who recognized its inherent cruelty and inhumanity.
Another example of the distinction between legality and lawfulness can be found in certain laws that disproportionately affect marginalized communities. For instance, drug laws in many countries have been shown to harm communities of color far more than white communities, even though the drug use rates are similar across all races. While these drug laws may be legal, they are not necessarily lawful, as they perpetuate systemic inequalities and unfairness.
It is essential to recognize that the law is a social construct that is shaped by power dynamics and societal values. Just because something is illegal today does not mean it will always be illegal, and just because something is legal does not mean it will always be lawful. An example of this is when marriages between people of the same sex were legalized in many countries, which impacted many people and transformed what was once unlawful into lawful.
As such, we must be critical of the laws we have in place, and fight for what we believe to be just and fair. Laws are not set in stone, and through collective action and activism, we can work to change them to better serve the needs of all members of our society.
Personally, my belief is that while legality is an essential aspect of our legal system, it is not the only factor we should consider when making decisions about justice and morality in our communities. Yes, lawfulness is equally important to uphold fairness and equality, and we must apply our own sense of right and wrong as we navigate complex social and political issues!
When it comes to understanding what is truly lawful, many people turn to the Bible or biblical principles for guidance. The Bible lays out a set of moral principles that are not always reflected in the legal systems that we have in place today. For instance, the Bible emphasizes the importance of compassion, forgiveness, and love towards others, principles that we may not always see reflected in man-made laws.
When we focus solely on legality, we risk losing sight of these core principles that should govern our actions and decisions. For example, just because something is legal does not mean it is just or right. On the other hand, something that may be deemed illegal could be considered righteous according to biblical principles.
In addition to this, many laws have been created by fallible human beings and may not align with “God’s” (Yahweh’s) plan for justice and righteousness. In fact, throughout history, many laws have been used to justify oppression and injustice, going against Yahweh’s commandments to love thy neighbor as thyself.
As a result, it is essential to examine laws through the lens of biblical principles and not simply rely on man-made legalities. We must consider whether a legal action is truly just and reflects the values that our faith promotes. In doing so, we can work towards creating a more equitable and compassionate society that is guided both by the law and by the divine principles of love and justice.
Yes, while legality serves as a necessary and vital component of our society, it should not be the sole indicator of what is lawful and just. By looking to the Bible and biblical principles, we can gain a more profound understanding of what it means to act in accordance with Yahweh’s will and work towards creating a more just and fair society for all.
Meanwhile, the Bible teaches us that Yahweh’s law is grounded in love and compassion. In Matthew 22:36–40, “Jesus” (Yahshua) says that the most important commandment is to love “God” (Yahweh) with all our heart, soul, and mind, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. This principle of love as the foundation of lawfulness reminds us that our actions should not only be legal, but also morally justifiable.
At times, Yahweh’s law may conflict with man-made laws. In the book of Acts, the apostles are ordered by the authorities to stop preaching about Yahshua, but they refuse, saying that they must obey Yahweh rather than man (Acts 5:29). This shows us that when we encounter a conflict between human law and Yahweh’s law, we must choose to follow Yahweh’s law, even if it means breaking the human law.
Furthermore, throughout the Bible, we see examples of people who chose to follow Yahweh’s law rather than human laws, even when it meant going against the status quo. One such example is Daniel, who refused to stop praying to Yahweh, even though it was illegal under the Babylonian law. He chose to follow Yahweh’s law rather than human law, and ultimately, Yahweh protected him and blessed him.
For me, I’d always choose the Bible over the man-made legal stuff for its sacred principles, life-giving lessons, and guidance. Yes, man-made legalities can have many flaws and injustices, but the Bible provides us with an unchanging source of morality and justice that transcends cultural and temporal boundaries.
So again, while legality serves as a necessary and vital component of our society, it should not be the sole indicator of what is lawful and just. By looking to the Bible and biblical principles, we can gain a more profound understanding of what it means to act in accordance with Yahweh’s will and work towards creating a more just and fair society for all.
Overall, I’d say that when it comes to determining what is truly lawful, we must look beyond man-made legalities and turn to the Bible and biblical principles for guidance. The Bible teaches us that Yahweh’s law is based on love and compassion and transcends human laws that may be flawed or unjust. Think! So yes, just because it is legal does not mean it is lawful!
We must all strive to live in accordance with Yahweh’s law, even if it means going against man-made laws. Remember, just because something is legal does not always mean it is morally right or justifiable in the eyes of the Father in heaven, Yahweh. I hope this will serve as an eye-opener for many.
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