“Follow The Spirit Of The Law!”

“Follow The Spirit Of The Law!”
There is a perennial discussion whether with the coming of Jesus Christ the Law and the prophets (some say the whole Old Testament) have become obsolete or they are still important. We are not in a Bible study now to go into a discussion but let us focus on what Jesus himself says of this.
He says, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfil them…” These words of Jesus are mentioned in a body of teachings where he kept citing the Law or the Prophets. In these teachings he kept saying, “You have heard that it was said…But I tell you…” This does not mean Jesus brought in any new teaching. He only helped to reveal the deeper meaning of the Law and what the Prophets said. For Jesus it is impossible to dig a new road without cutting across the old one in many places.
For Jesus the greatest commandments are from the Mosaic Laws: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart…” (Dt.6:5) and “Love your neighbour as yourself” (Lev.19:18).
Jesus was not and is not against the keeping of the Law but “against the hypocritical Pharisaical legalism… the hollow sham of keeping laws externally to gain merit before God while breaking them inwardly.” For instance you may condemn murder yet nursing hatred in your heart. Hatred is as bad as murder, since the act of murdering is often a manifestation of hate. Jesus is against following the letter of the Law while ignoring its spirit.
Jesus is the fulfilment of the Law in that he opens our eyes so that we should follow the spirit of the Law. He does not teach a righteousness by works but a righteousness that comes by faith in him and his work.
The spirit of the Law is an all embracing love expessing itself in impartial justice, grace and mercy. These are all inherent in righteousness. The least of God’s commandments is as important as the greatest of them. “Whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven…” (Mt.5:17-22).
Dear friend, if our righteousness must surpass that of the Pharisees, we must practice what we teach and teach what we practice. We may not be there yet, but let it be our main daily prayer focus!
Prayer: Holy Spirit lead me this day to practice what I teach and to teach what I practice. Amen!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!