Thanks. That's an interesting thought.
Christians do not obey Christ out of a ceremonial legalism. We obey Christ out of a moral compulsion which has been given to us by His atonement.
Consider there's a stop sign along a country road. It's midnight and no one is around. The reprobate will run the stop sign without fear of legal retribution simply because none is around at the time.
The man acquitted by Christ will stop at the stop sign because his heart has been changed to obey a moral principal higher than expediency.
Christ's commandments are not legalisms; they are reminders of our status before God -- do this because you have been redeemed.
Ping to 36. I'm waaay behind. 8~)
I've been reading some material the provides a different perspective. It isn't so much as to remind us to do things because we have been redeemed but rather it is to remind us of how much we don't do and need to repent. Consequently when Christ tells us to "Go and sin no more." or "Sell all that you have and come follow me.", He actually means just that. He isn't playing word games. Our failings in directly obeying His commands underscores our weaknesses and should lead us to repent on a daily basis pleading for His divine help.