Letter of the Law vs. Spirit of the Law

[Nancy]

I can’t fathom how you see it like that…if the spirit of the law to not murder is to not have angry resentment and seethings inside.
The letter says do not choke, shoot, or bludgeon anyone to death.
The spirit says anger is to have already murdered, even IF the anger does not proceed to literal choking or bludgeoning.
Is it harder or more impossible for you not to shoot someone than it is for you to not even have anger?

Jesus raised the "Law Bar"...Sermon on The Mount. Anyone gouge their eye out yet? Cut off any hands? Yeah, much more "exacting".

 

[stunnedbygrace]

Jesus raised the "Law Bar"...Sermon on The Mount. Anyone gouge their eye out yet? Cut off any hands? Yeah, much more "exacting".

So exacting as to be utterly impossible for a man!

 

[Hidden In Him]

You mean because of forgiveness of sins?
I’m not trying to be dense, I think I just am dense.

LoL.

Yeah, kinda. I mean because the Spirit looks into matters more deeply than just going by what is apparent on the surface. Sort of like where scriptures says, "And the Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God." God knows the heart of a man, and the motives behind WHY he does what he does. The Lord doesn't just judge by appearances or according to a standard that never takes things like motives or circumstances into account.

 

[Nancy]

So exacting as to be utterly impossible for a man!

Sure is!

 

[Christian Tony B]

Hi Everyone,

Since I'm feeling a bit..."inspired", I thought I would take it upon a suggestion from another thread, that perhaps a thread about this subject is due.

I'm not trying to 'lead' this thread, but to put thoughts 'out there', that may make for a decent discussion.

I was a paralegal for a number of years. Yes, a Christian, to boot. And I can say, honestly, that my legal training actually helped me, in my spiritual journey.

We are already aware, that secular laws are mostly made up of statutes. Those statutes are not so much about what we should do, but what will happen if we don't do 'it'. "Thou shall not travel more than 75 miles per hour on an interstate highway" is not a statute. What IS a statute is to say that, "If you DO travel more than 75 miles per hour on an interstate highway, the penalty will be 6 months in jail, losing your license and a $1000 dollar fine, for a first offense."

But does that mean that EVERY time, ANYONE who travels more than 75 miles an hour on an interstate highway, WILL or SHOULD go to jail for 6 months, lose their license and get a $1000 dollar fine?

According to the Pharisees, yes. After all, that person broke the law!

But Jesus, didn't seem to see it the same way. After all, there are exceptions to the law.

Apparenty, there is punishment in breaking the law. But I think that Jesus taught us...or at least, tried to do so....that there is also mercy woven into it. And wisdom...and discernment...

After all, if I was traveling at 80 mpg, because my child was in the back seat, choking on a chicken bone...and I was trying to get to a hospital...does the law REALLY apply in that matter?

The less merciful ones, would say 'yes'. Would Jesus?

How can we read the bible, without thinking about any of this?

Thoughts?

True. I guess the way of adjudicating what is right or wrong, is that every case ought be judged on its merits.

As a norm though, I look at the laws of the land in a positive way. They help communities interoperate without cannoning into each other, which is a good thing. If we didn't have them, we would just have mayhem, and evil will win out. So whether I adhere to them literally or because of the spirit behind them, it is for the good.

Yes, the situation of a child's life at risk is a good example to draw on. I would hope that in such a circumstance I would have the presence of mind to engage the help of emergency services, even if that meant a police escort meeting me on the way to clear the way ahead with their siren. I realise we are just talking a hypothetical here, and I believe you would act in a way that wouldn't put anyone else's life at risk should you be faced with such an emergency.

 

[stunnedbygrace]

LoL.

Yeah, kinda. I mean because the Spirit looks into matters more deeply than just going by what is apparent on the surface. Sort of like where scriptures says, "And the Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God." God knows the heart of a man, and the motives behind WHY he does everything he does.

Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.”

 

[Hidden In Him]

Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.”

Exactly.

 

[stunnedbygrace]

Sure is!

So then…what do you do? What different directions do men go in from that understanding that it’s impossible for them to be law abiding?

They may have had more of a chance if it didn’t involve their heart…

 

[Mink57]

LoL.

Yeah, kinda. I mean because the Spirit looks into matters more deeply than just going by what is apparent on the surface. Sort of like where scriptures says, "And the Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God." God knows the heart of a man, and the motives behind WHY he does what he does. The Lord doesn't just judge by appearances or according to a standard that never takes things like motives or circumstances into account.

And really, that's it!

In my example, a policeman could have ended up following you to the hospital...and issued you a ticket. He would have been following the letter of the law. But when you appeared in court, the judge may look more deeply into your motives and the circumstances...that is, your intent (your HEART)...and dismissed the ticket. Your intention wasn't to go out joyriding; you knew you had only minutes to get the child medical care, so the child didn't suffer any permanent damage.

You said it better than I did, Hidden. Thanks!

 

[stunnedbygrace]

LoL.

Yeah, kinda. I mean because the Spirit looks into matters more deeply than just going by what is apparent on the surface. Sort of like where scriptures says, "And the Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God." God knows the heart of a man, and the motives behind WHY he does what he does. The Lord doesn't just judge by appearances or according to a standard that never takes things like motives or circumstances into account.

Considering how sneaky and self centered the heart is, is it a comfort that He sees it’s motives and manipulative ways?

 

[stunnedbygrace]

So then…what do you do? What different directions do men go in from that understanding that it’s impossible for them to be law abiding?

They may have had more of a chance if it didn’t involve their heart…

Okay, I’ll answer myself then! But I have to wait until this adrenaline wears off. They had to give me 3 shots to do my root canal because I kept feeling the drilling. Now I’m shaking like a leaf.

 

[Mink57]

Considering how sneaky and self centered the heart is, is it a comfort that He sees it’s motives and manipulative ways?

LOL! Yes and no.

Okay, I’ll answer myself then! But I have to wait until this adrenaline wears off. They had to give me 3 shots to do my root canal because I kept feeling the drilling. Now I’m shaking like a leaf.

Ohhhhhhh! Root canal? Ugh! I swear, the hair on the back of my neck stood up when I read that sentence! I've had a lot of dental issues myself recently, so my heart goes out to you!

 

[farouk]

And really, that's it!

In my example, a policeman could have ended up following you to the hospital...and issued you a ticket. He would have been following the letter of the law. But when you appeared in court, the judge may look more deeply into your motives and the circumstances...that is, your intent (your HEART)...and dismissed the ticket. Your intention wasn't to go out joyriding; you knew you had only minutes to get the child medical care, so the child didn't suffer any permanent damage.

You said it better than I did, Hidden. Thanks!

@Mink57 Intent is all part of it...............

 

[marks]

Eh…I’m out of here. I’m not going to understand how others think about it. Maybe I’m not supposed to.

Personally I see this as do you.

The letter of the Law governs - for the most part - our actions, even when our hearts are not in it, while the spirit of the Law is that our thoughts and feelings will also conform to it's requirements.

Both are restrictions against fleshiness.

Christian love will transcend all of fleshiness.

Much love!

 

[marks]

Jesus raised the "Law Bar"...Sermon on The Mount. Anyone gouge their eye out yet? Cut off any hands? Yeah, much more "exacting".

I like to follow Jesus' thought through to it's conclusion. The eye is not the source of sin, neither is the hand, however, the flesh is. So, should we cut off our flesh?

Much love!

 

[marks]

Considering how sneaky and self centered the heart is, is it a comfort that He sees it’s motives and manipulative ways?

It sure is to me!! Because He is faithful.

Much love!

 

[marks]

For me, what we seem to be talking about here is not what I think of as "the spirit of the Law", that is, it's true inward design as taught by Jesus. So that, you have heard it said, you shall not murder, but I say to you, if you are angry you've murdered in your heart.

Under the letter, as we are discussing it, you are condemned by the act alone, but under the spirit of the Law, you are not only condemned by the act alone, but also by the thought. So instead of having less opportunity to be guilty, you have a greater opportunity. Even if you choke off the thought, and don't commit the act, the Law condemns the thought also, by Jesus' words.

The Letter of the Law condemns, and the "spirit of the Law" condemns, because the Law itself condemns, all people being under it's condemnation.

In Christ we are dead to the Law, and now we follow the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ, which is, we are to live according to the Spirit of Christ within us, living His life in our own.

This is the Law of Christ, where Jesus Himself gives personal attention and guidance to me in my life, correcting me as He sees fit, testing me, blessing me, all as He sees fit, knowing me, and knowing His plan for me.

Outside of the Law, Jesus is our true Judge, as well as intercessor, as well as He Who died for me. Under the Law, there is only condemnation, whether in its "letter", or in its "spirit", that is, it's expanded meaning as taught by Jesus.

Much love!

 

[marks]

Okay, I’ll answer myself then! But I have to wait until this adrenaline wears off. They had to give me 3 shots to do my root canal because I kept feeling the drilling. Now I’m shaking like a leaf.

I've had some pretty rough dental adventures these past few years, I feel for you!

Much love!

 

[Nancy]

So then…what do you do? What different directions do men go in from that understanding that it’s impossible for them to be law abiding?

They may have had more of a chance if it didn’t involve their heart…

Do you always love God with all your heart, soul, mind and might? I cannot say that I pass that one at all times and thoughts that flit through the mind to me cannot be helped but, can be overcome by stopping thinking about whatever they are.

I don't always love my neighbor either. So then, lot's of repentance?

 

[stunnedbygrace]

Do you always love God with all your heart, soul, mind and might? I cannot say that I pass that one at all times and thoughts that flit through the mind to me cannot be helped but, can be overcome by stopping thinking about whatever they are.

I don't always love my neighbor either. So then, lot's of repentance?

Well…does it make sense to you that God always wants you to over and over again cry and tell Him how sorry you are for what you are? Does He want you to be constantly mourning over what you can in no way change?
Or is it something else He might be looking for?