The gospel code of love and the beatitudes are prevalent. The Jewish Hebrew Ten Commandments remain as the basic tenets of most Christian Churches. However, nearly every Christian Church has laws or directives that are specific to their denomination or to their particular local Church. Creation is good, and man is responsible for the earth, so that there is a need for justice and love.
directives
False presumption (Sir 5:4-5:7)
“Do not say.
‘I sinned.
Yet what has happened to me?’
The Lord is slow to anger.
Do not be so confident of forgiveness.
Thus you add sin to sin.
Do not say.
‘His mercy is great.
He will forgive the multitude of my sins.’
Both mercy and wrath are with him.
His anger rests on sinners.
Do not delay
To turn back to the Lord.
Do not postpone it from day to day.
Suddenly the wrath of the Lord
Will come upon you.
At the time of punishment,
You will perish.”
Here are some more directives about false presumption. Do not say that you have sinned and nothing has happened to you. Remember that the Lord is slow to anger. You should not be overconfident of his forgiveness because you are only adding to your sinful state. Do not say that he is merciful and therefore he will forgive a multitude of sins. He has both mercy and anger, especially towards sinners. Do not delay your return to the Lord. Do not put it off because the wrath of the Lord will come upon you suddenly. You may perish as a punishment.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 