In Paul’s writings, are the words, All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient; all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any, 1 Corinthians 6:12. In this verse of Scripture, is the justification for disobedience rooted. As Peter wrote concerning Paul’s writings, As also in all [his] epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as [they do] also the other Scriptures, unto their own destruction, 2 Peter 3:16.

Of Law, Liberty, and Light
   Oh, that it might be in the heart of man to seek Yahweh and to walk willfully in the light of His Word. But just what is this light and what is the liberty Paul was speaking of when he wrote, “All things are lawful unto me?” For some, the answer is straightforward and simple, or so they believe — “Oh, we are no longer bound by the Old Testament restrictions and all things are permissible! The dietary laws, Sabbath keeping, and festival observance are no longer required!” Is this what Paul was truly saying? Or has there been a twisting of Scripture made so that the darkness of disobedience in them refuses to step into the Light.
   To gain an understanding of Scripture, one must look therein and drink deeply from the Living Waters, the Wellspring of Life. After all, is it not eternal life we are seeking when we open up the pages of Scripture and read therefrom? Or is there some other reason not so apparent, such as wanting to belong to a social group with no restrictions?
   To what end will such rationale lead? Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death!” What is sin? 1 John 3:4 states, Whosoever commits sin transgresses also the Law: for sin is the transgression of the Law. And we find Paul saying in Romans 3:31, Do we then make void the Law through faith? Yah forbid: yea, we establish the Law. In other words, the path leading to life is obedience to the Law; whereas the path leading to death is transgression of the Law. Obedience leads to life; disobedience leads to death.
   Isaiah 8:13-16 reads:
   Sanctify Yahweh of Hosts Himself; and [let] Him [be] your fear, and [let] Him [be] your dread. And He shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the Houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken. Bind up the Testimony, seal the Law among My disciples. Verse 20 goes on to say, To the Law and to the Testimony; if they speak not according to this Word, [it is] because [there is] no light in them. Here, the Hebrew word translated as “light” is Strong’s #7837, shachar, (shakh’-ar) referring to: the dawn of day, early light, morning. In other words, if the Law of Yahweh is not central to your faith, defining righteousness and sin, then you will not see the Sun (Son) of righteousness arise, spoken of in Malachi 4:2:
   But unto you that fear My Name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in His wings; and you shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.
   And yet, continues the argument, “Well, that’s Old Testament! I’m under the New Covenant,” as if to say that it’s okay to sin. Regrettably, this is the doctrine taught by the lying pastors who themselves do not know what sin is, or worse yet, don’t care to know. The lure, “Just come as you are, and with your mouth confession of belief in the Savior will secure your salvation” (Rom. 10:9-10) has deceived many.
   To those with blinded eyes and ears which cannot hear, no amount of quoting Scripture will change their mind. But for those who have sincere hearts, those willing to walk through Scripture in search for Truth, there is hope that the Light of Truth will begin to shine and understanding will be given.
   For those not understanding the New Covenant, the writer of Hebrews 8:10, 12 (citing Jeremiah 31:33-34) says:
   For this [is] the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says Yahweh; I will put My laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts … and their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
   Obedience and forgiveness go hand in hand. Without obedience there is no forgiveness; one must repent from sin, ask forgiveness, and sin no more! Remember, sin is the transgression of the Law (1 John 3:4).

Yahweh’s Law of Liberty
   The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17; Deuteronomy 5:6-21):

         1. You shall have no other Elohim but Yahweh.
         2. You shall not make unto you a graven image or bow down unto it or worship it.
         3. You shall not lift up Yahweh’s Name to falsehood.
         4. Remember the Sabbath Day; do no work therein.
         5. Honor your father and mother.
         6. Do not murder.
         7. Do not commit adultery.
         8. Do not steal.
         9. Do not bear false witness.
       10. Do not covet.

   The Holy standard is called “the perfect law of liberty” in James 1:25, and whoever looks into it, “and continues therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” Moreover, James further writes, So speak you, and so do, as they shall be judged by the law of liberty, James 2:12.
   With no Law there is no sin, as Paul stated in Romans 7:7:
   What shall we say then? [Is] the law sin? Yah forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the Law: for I had not known lust, except the Law had said, “You shall not covet.”
   Yahshua said in Matthew 11:28-30:
   Come unto Me, all [you] that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.

Conclusion
   The pathway to salvation is not difficult; it is a way of mercy and truth, repentance and forgiveness, grace and compassion. One choosing this path will enter into the blessings of Yahweh, whereas those walking in rebellion will receive curses and judgment (Matt. 7:21-23):
   Wherein in times past you walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience … You [hath He quickened] who were dead in trespasses and sins, Ephesians 2:2, 1.
   For though the adversary, Satan, called the prince of the power of the air (Eph. 2:2), and his minions, principalities and powers; the rulers of the darkness of this world and spiritual wickedness in high places (Eph. 6:12), have the rule over this present evil world (Gal. 1:4), the believer in Yahshua need not fret, if he guard the portals of his mind (his eyes and ears). With the proliferation of digital media, the adversary has reached far and wide into the lives of many. To what extent are people being led astray? To spend hours on end using devices would be, in essence, a form of worship (idolatry) and a breaking of the Second Commandment (Exod. 20:3-5; Deut. 5:7-9). How often have you been led to the gutter by those things you see or hear?
   Isaiah 33:14-16 reads:
   The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness has surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the Devouring Fire? Who among us shall dwell with Everlasting Burnings? He that walks righteously, and speaks uprightly; he that despises the gain of oppressions, that shakes his hands from holding of bribes, that stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed, and shuts his eyes from seeing evil; he shall dwell on high; his place of defense [shall be] the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters [shall be] sure.
   Choose you this day Whom you will serve. Will you choose Yahweh and walk in obedience to His Law, or follow after the world and the lusts of the flesh?

Come now and follow Yahweh
Come to His throne of grace
Do not delay but hurry
Come to His resting place
He’ll give you strength and comfort if but His will you do
Forsake all your transgression
Be cleansed and made anew