Obedience Before Intimacy?

The New Testament, taken in its literal form, appeals to the unsanctified mind as a mere extension of the Old Testament law, full of commands that appear to direct and control the behavior of believers within the church. The legalistic mindset loves to build community around the law because it has no desire to allow the Spirit of the word to challenge their lifestyle. Sadly, the 'flesh' desires nothing more than that of human authority, because they can either fight to change it, or just leave it when ever they decide it no longer suits their desires. This is a mind void of the idea that they "were bought at a price", because to come under the authority of the Holy Spirit is to surrender ones entire life to His work.