Letter_vs_Spirit_5

Letter Of The Law Versus Spirit Of The Law - Bible Study - 17 July 2013
Luke 11:46 - "Jesus replied, 'And you experts in the Law [Torah; 633 "Laws" plus all the "Oral
Traditions" recorded in the Mishnah/Talmud], woe to you, because you load people down with burdens
[excessive "Traditions" as rules and requirements to prove compliance with the Torah] they can hardly
carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them [through their involvement in the Temple
economy, the religious ruling elite benefited from the extra demands of Jewish Traditions; hence
refusing to reduce some of those demands which often involved high monetary costs and offerings of
animals/food].'"
How did all the extra demands of Jewish traditions form? Is that really the right question? The point is
these extra demands did form and were NOT in keeping with the basic purposes of the Law God had
intended. What evolved was a legalistic system of "dos and don'ts" connected to the performance of
many religious rituals we find in the Torah. Individual compliance to all these rules was necessary to
be accepted favorably in Jewish society and religious culture. The system essentially became a way to
buy-off God, to manipulate Him (in delusion), and be careless toward Him; not fear Him. It permitted
people to become deceived into thinking they had "earned" God's Favor by keeping rules perfectly
while, potentially, their own heart motives weren't correct (Matthew 19:16-22). God's Favor isn't based
solely on ritualistic compliance with various components of religious legalism. God is also concerned
with intent and motive! People could perform rituals while appearing outwardly sincere but inwardly
insincere. There could be pretense! Jesus was addressing this fraud and pretense of holy compliance to
legalistic dogma connected to practically everything in basic Jewish life and daily culture. The truth
about this pretense helps us see the meaning of this statement:
Matthew 23:27/28 - "'Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like
whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones
and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the
inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness!"
Even in the Old Testament, God tried to tell His people what He really desired, but most Jewish
leaders just wouldn't listen:
1st Samuel 15:22 - "Then Samuel said, 'Is the LORD as delighted with burnt offerings and sacrifices as
He would be with your obedience? To follow instructions is better than to sacrifice. To obey is better
than sacrificing the fat of rams." For confirmation, also see Psalm 40:7 and Ecclesiastes 4:17.
But modern day Christian legalists of the Old Covenant Law often quote:
Matthew 5:17 through 19 - "(17) Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law [Torah] or the
Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. (18) I tell you the truth, until heaven and
earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from
the Law until everything is accomplished. (19) Anyone who breaks one of the least of these
commandments [not just the original ten, but all of them] and teaches others to do the same will be
called least in the Kingdom of Heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these Commands will be
called great in the Kingdom of Heaven."
This is usually quoted when somebody is trying to refute the New Covenant understanding that the
Church ("Body Of Christ") isn't "Under the Old Testament Law" anymore. The point is that Jesus
DID complete the need for any further continence of the Law received through the Old Covenant
(Contract between humanity and God). When Jesus did this, He instituted a new and more demanding
Covenant to replace the Old Covenant which humanity failed to comply. God said it this way:

Hebrews 10:1 through 12 - "The Old System under the Law of Moses [Torah] was only a shadow, a
dim preview of the good things to come, not the Good Things themselves. The sacrifices under that
system were repeated again and again, year after year, but they were never able to provide perfect
cleansing for those who came to worship. (2) If they could have provided perfect cleansing, the
sacrifices would have stopped, for the worshipers would have been purified once for all time, and their
feelings of guilt would have disappeared. (3) But instead, those sacrifices actually reminded them of
their sins year after year. (4) For it is not possible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. (5)
That is why, when Christ came into the world, He said to God, 'You did not want animal sacrifices or
sin offerings, but you have given Me a body to offer. (6) You were not pleased with burnt offerings or
other offerings for sin.' (7) Then I said, 'Look, I have come to do Your Will, O God: as is Written about
Me in the Scriptures.'" (8) First, Christ said, 'You did not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings or
burnt offerings or other offerings for sin, nor were you pleased with them' (though they are required by
the Law [Torah] of Moses). (9) Then He said, 'Look, I have come to do Your Will.' He cancels the First
[Old] Covenant in order to put the Second [New Covenant] into effect. (10) For God's Will was for us
to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time. (11) Under the Old
Covenant, the priest stands and ministers before the altar day after day, offering the same sacrifices
again and again, which can never take away sins. (12) But our High Priest [Jesus] offered Himself to
God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then He sat down in the place of Honor at God's
Right Hand.'" For more confirmation, also see Hebrews 8:6/7.
Letter Of The Law:
Exodus 31:14 through 16 - "Observe the Sabbath, because it is holy to you. Anyone who desecrates it
must be put to death; whoever does any work on that day must be cut off from his people. (15) For six
days, work is to be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD. Whoever does any
work on the Sabbath day must be put to death. (16) The Israelites are to observe the Sabbath,
celebrating it for the generations to come as a lasting [forever] covenant."
Spirit Of The Law:
Matthew 12:9 through 14 - "Going on from that place, Jesus went into their synagogue, (10) and a man
with a shriveled hand was there. Looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, they [religious leaders] asked
Him, 'Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?' [meaning to do work rather than rest on the Sabbath] (11) He
said to them, 'If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it
and lift it out [which would be work rather than rest]? (12) How much more valuable is a man than a
sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good [work] on the Sabbath.' (13) Then Jesus said to the man,
'Stretch out your hand.' So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other.
(14) But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus."
Comment:
The Letter of the Law would be to rest every seventh day. Which day is NOT the point. The RESTING
itself is the point. Further, HOW we "Rest" regarding our intent and motive is of concern to God. If
some task of work is good in motive and intent, then the same is not violation of the commandment to
rest.
In Hebrews 4:1-11 (please read these passages now) God also further taught us that Jesus is our
continual "Sabbath Rest." The Spirit Of The Law is that the Sabbath is daily and continual as we live by
faith in Jesus (not live by sight; 2nd Corinthians 5:7). The Letter Of The Law would assert that we
need only "Rest" once every seventh day on a Saturday (Sabbath).

The Law of the Old Covenant totally misses the point of what "Rest" is all about; as defined in the New
Covenant! It is to abide in the FINISHED WORK of Jesus on our behalf! He is our Life and Rest now
(Galatians 2:20)! Whatever we are "Doing" in faith is through Him, therefore the same isn't "Work" from His
Perspective, but is something "Good" (as Matthew 12:12 reminds us).

Letter Of The Law Versus The Spirit Of The Law - Bible Study - Part II
Letter Of The Law:
Exodus 20:13 - "Thou shalt not kill [murder]."
Spirit Of The Law:
Matthew 5:21/22 - "Ye have heard that it was said by them of Old Times, thou shalt not kill [murder];
and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of The Judgment: (22) But I say unto you, that whosoever is
angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of The Judgment..." For more clarity, see
what God says in 1st John 3:15 through His Apostle.
Comment:
Jesus raises the standard regarding the Old Covenant Commandment regarding murder. It is tougher
under the New Covenant. Jesus isn't trying to terminate the Old Testament Law so much as He is
trying to bring us into deeper clarity for righteous holy living in His Kingdom... on a spiritual basis.
This wasn't required under the terms of the Old Covenant. Again, Jesus is showing us that God is
concerned with intent, thought, and motive. He is revealing that our thoughts, motives, emotions,
beliefs, and intentions are every bit as real and consequential as physical actions themselves! In the
Spirit Of The Law, just hating another Christian is the same as murder! Why is Jesus doing this? Why is
He seemingly making things more difficult? It is because He is preparing His Followers for spiritual
life in the Kingdom! By giving His Followers the Holy Spirit, He will be directly Empowering His
Followers with the capacity to obey the Spirit Of The Law, not just the mere shadow of the letter. In
the Kingdom Of God, thoughts themselves are substance! This is similar to the spiritual Kingdom
Principle about how "Faith [trusting thought] is the SUBSTANCE of things hoped [believed] for"
(Hebrews 11:1).

Letter Of The Law Versus The Spirit Of The Law - Bible Study - Part III
Letter Of The Law:
Exodus 20:14 - "You shall not commit adultery."
Spirit Of The Law:
Matthew 5:27/28 - "You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' (28) But I tell you that
anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart."
Comment:
Once again, Jesus has directly contradicted the way the Old Covenant Jewish People understood the
Torah. It is no wonder the religious leaders were so angry with Him. The Jewish Leaders thought they
were sinless and righteous by not violating the LETTER of this Old Covenant Commandment, yet
Jesus KNEW what they were doing in the spirit of their minds (Ephesians 4:23)! They were lusting
with their thoughts! Again, this shows us the spiritual Kingdom Principle Jesus wants us to grasp and
not violate!
Recall Jesus saw part of His role on earth was to teach us about The [Spiritual] Kingdom Of God. See
Matthew 4:17, Matthew 5:3, Matthew 5:10, Matthew 6:10, Matthew 6:33, and Matthew 5:20 (a critical
warning to us all). We must not forget this! Otherwise our Salvation may become meaningless!
Being a Follower Of Jesus means we begin to practice living His Kingdom Principles now! We follow
Him while refusing to live our lives "by the sight" of human cognition (2nd Corinthians 5:7). We begin to
reject the flawed ways of the world and naturalism (1st John 2:15/16 and James 4:4).
"Your FAITH has made you well," said Jesus in Mark 10:52. Jesus is teaching us to live by the
Principle Of Faith; it is another spiritual Principle of His Kingdom. God mentions that anything NOT
done out of faith (in Him) is sin (see the last part of Romans 14:23). How often do we fail in that
department each day?
John 7:24 - "Stop judging by mere [worldly] appearances [natural carnal standards], and make a right
judgment [which is spiritually based on the New Covenant teachings of Jesus and His Apostles, not that
of the Old Covenant solely]."

Letter Of The Law Versus The Spirit Of The Law - Bible Study - Part IV
Letter Of The Law:
Leviticus 24:17-22 - "Anyone who takes another person's life must be put to death. (18)Anyone who kills
another person's animal must pay for it in full—a live animal for the animal that was killed. (19) Anyone
who injures another person must be dealt with according to the injury inflicted; (20) a fracture
for a fracture, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. Whatever anyone does to injure another person
must be paid back in kind. (21) Whoever kills an animal must pay for it in full, but whoever kills
another person must be put to death. (22) This same standard applies both to native-born Israelites and
to the foreigners living among you. I am the LORD your God."
Spirit Of The Law:
Matthew 5:38 through 42 - "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'
(39) But I tell you not to resist an evil person [doing an injustice upon you]. But whoever slaps you on
your right cheek [which, in the Jewish culture, was a common way to insult another person; to show
contempt], turn the other to him also [return good for evil; 1st Thessalonians 5:15]. (40) If anyone
wants to sue you and take away your tunic [in evil pretense or revenge], let him have your cloak also [a
huge disproportionate exchange]. (41) And whoever compels you to go one mile [Matthew 27:32] go
with him two. (42) Give to him [unconditionally] who asks [begs of] you; and from him who wants to
borrow from you, do not turn away."
Comment:
Jesus is annulling Old Covenant Law "Eye for an eye" justice regarding wrong doing by enemies.
While this kind of "Letter Of The Law" justice is fitting for those living in the kingdoms of the world, it is
not the kind of "Justice" we find in The Kingdom Of Heaven. Instead, Jesus is saying give mercy at all
costs... regardless of the wrongs perpetrated upon us (Matthew 5:43-45 and 1st Corinthians 6:7).
Why? Because this is what Jesus did on his Cross toward us. He expects this spiritual ideal to
permeate all our responses to perceived wrongs committed against us. He wants us to forbear and
return kindness for evil done against us. This is the "Spirit Of The Law" regarding formal "Justice" in
The Kingdom. It is diametrically opposed to how we see justice performed in the kingdoms of the
world. We are invited by Jesus to practice Kingdom Justice toward each other; toward our enemies. He
wants us to do GOOD actions toward enemies, not harm them! Luke 6:35. Kingdom Love never
condemns others with harmful consequences!
Jesus gives us a clear example of Kingdom Justice in John 8:3-11. It is the story of the woman caught
in adultery/prostitution. The "Letter Of The Law" demanded that she (and her partner) be stoned
(Leviticus 20:10). Instead, Jesus gives her unconditional mercy. He contradicted the "Letter Of The
Law" for a HIGHER spiritual Truth (Law) of The Kingdom! It wasn't even an issue of her agreeing to
repent of her sin. Jesus simply commanded her to be free and "sin no more."
Humanity deserves hell for rebellion against God, but Jesus prays, "Father, forgive them, for the know
not what they do." He is asking the Father to unconditionally forgive us; to relent from giving us due
punishing consequences of condemnation. We, therefore, are expected to be the SAME WAY in our
justice toward each other. See Matthew 6:14/15 for clarity and confirmation.

Jesus is showing us that unconditional forgiving and forbearance requires our withholding
condemnation as otherwise implemented through the "Letter Of The Law." The consequences of
condemnation, as "eye for an eye" or "life for a life" (as "Capital Punishment"), are not practiced in
the Kingdom of Heaven. The Kingdom is now our Home through Christ Alive in us! We are Citizens of
His Kingdom! Philippians 3:20 and Ephesians 2:19. We can begin to live the Ways of The Kingdom
today through the Holy Spirit indwelling us!
Dear reader, I pray you are beginning to see just how massively different the "Spirit Of The Law" is
from the Old Covenant Law among the kingdoms of the world.

Letter Of The Law Versus The Spirit Of The Law - Bible Study - Part V
Letter Of The Law:
Deuteronomy 23:21 through 23 - "If you make a vow to the LORD your God, do not be slow to pay
[perform] it, for the LORD your God will certainly demand it of you and you will be guilty of sin. (22)
But if you refrain from making a vow, you will not be guilty. (23) Whatever your lips utter you must be
sure to do, because you made your vow freely to the LORD your God with your own mouth."
Spirit Of The Law:
Matthew 5:33 through 37 - "Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not swear
falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.' (34) But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by
Heaven, for it is God's Throne; (35) nor by the earth, for it is His Footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is
the City of the Great King. (36) Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair
white or black. (37) But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.' For whatever is more than these is
from the evil one."
Comment:
Here we see Jesus explaining the "Spirit Of The Law" while also annulling this particular "Letter Of
The Law" commandment from the Torah. This is incredible! Jesus gives us a new commandment to
never make oaths or vows! Given the nature of the New Covenant, this makes perfect sense.
Making oaths or vows were permissible under the Old Covenant. This isn't the case for Christians in
His Kingdom! Why not? Because when we agreed to the Gospel Of Jesus Christ and His Kingdom, we
agreed to the LAST "Oath" we'll ever need for all of Eternity! There will never be another reason to
swear another oath or vow for something which isn't already covered under the oath of our having
agreed to follow Jesus according to His terms and conditions!
Early era Christians were sometimes called "Nazarenes." Jesus was from Nazareth, of course, but this
also hints back to the Old Covenant "Nazarite Vow" (sweared oath) of Numbers 6:1-5. This vow was
often a temporary period for somebody to draw close to God: to serve Him and seek His Will
exclusively above all else. The Old Testament judge, Sampson, had taken the Nazarite Vow. There is a
real sense that Christians have committed to a life-long Nazarite Vow in agreeing to be Followers of
Jesus.
In performing the "Letter Of The Law" for a vow or oath, what we are really saying to God is that we
think we have what it takes keep the vow on our own! We rationalize pride! We rationalize keeping the
vow or oath on our own strength! In setting the terms and conditions of a vow or oath, we are
effectively telling God that He shouldn't give us mercy when we fail to keep the vow! But if we rely on
the Strength of God, then there is no need for any oath making! We are forever dependent upon Him.
This is the spiritual Way Jesus wants things to be in His Kingdom. He GAVE us His Holy Spirit to
indwell us! What more do we need?
The "Spirit Of The Law" is that we are forever committed to Jesus, to follow His Way by faith and
belief. Therefore, we can trust He will always have our best interests in Mind. He will be caring,
loving, and gentle with us. He will be our Provider as we seek His Kingdom (Matthew 6:33).
God said it this way through James:

James 5:12 - "Above all, my brothers, do not swear [an oath], not by Heaven or by earth or by anything
else. Let your "Yes" be yes, and your "No," no, or you will be condemned."
James is hinting that our reasons for vows and oaths are often motivated with selfish carnal
justifications. When we fail to keep a vow before God, then we often will make selfish excuses rather
than admit our pride and arrogance! We are afraid of the consequences for failure. We should be. We
shouldn't have tried to put God in a box with our vow or oath.
Vow making is often connected to our fear and concerns about the future. They show we doubt God
(James 1:6/7). They are as a crutch to our doubts! We exhibit pride and arrogance anytime we are
independently trying to control the future by making oaths and plans. This is another reason we should
NOT ever make a vow! A vow of pride says we can fix something! We need to let God do the fixing!
Our future is in the Hand of God by FAITH, not by sight to control things without FAITH (2nd
Corinthians 5:7). We are to wait on Him. Jesus approached plans for the future by seeking the actions
of His Father in the present:
John 5:19 - "Jesus gave them this answer: 'I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by Himself; He
can do only what he sees His Father DOING, because whatever the Father does the Son also does."
Hence there being no need to make an oath or vow involving the future. God is in Control.
James gave us another "Spirit Of The Law" for why making oaths or planning the future is often driven
by selfish arrogance:
James 4:13 through 16 - "Come now, you who say [about future concerns or planning], 'today or
tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a
profit.' Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a
little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we will live and also do
this or that' [which is the humble of approach of not trying to be in control; so as to live by FAITH
day by day]. But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil."
Everyday we MUST remain fully dependent upon God for everything in life! This even includes dietary
issues and health issues! We mustn't idolize the latter, but fully trust Jesus in everything pertaining to
our daily lives. Please see John 15:5 for confirmation.

Letter Of The Law Versus The Spirit Of The Law - Bible Study - Part VI
Letter Of The Law:
Matthew 5:43 - "You have heard that it was said, 'you shall love your neighbor [Leviticus 19:18]' and
'hate your enemy [while not a direct commandment, it was implied in Deuteronomy 23:3-6,
Deuteronomy 30:7, expressed in Psalm 139:19-22, and similar].'"
Spirit Of The Law:
Matthew 5:44-45 - "But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that
hate you [see Luke 6:27/28], and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; (45)
that you may be the children of your Father which is in Heaven: for He makes His sun to rise on the
evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust."
Comment:
By the Letter Of The Law, people could claim there were times when it was acceptable to hate what
God hates, even to hate people. It could be justified. See Proverbs 8:13.
Proverbs 17:15 - "He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous, both of them alike
are an abomination to the LORD."
Psalm 11:5-6 - "The LORD examines the righteous, but the wicked and those who love violence His
soul hates. (6) On the wicked He will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur; a scorching wind will be their
lot."
Here we are told God hates wicked people; that they are an abomination to Him, even those who would
dare justify the wicked as being acceptable or worthy of forgiveness. He will punish the wicked and
even destroy them. This may have been why the Jewish people could justify wars with enemies, and
hate such enemies; or justify hating people doing wicked things in general:
Psalm 31:6 - "I hate those who cling to worthless idols; I trust in the LORD" [see Psalm 139:21/22].
By the Letter Of The Law, the New Testament cliché of "Love the sinner but hate the sin" isn't
accurate. God hated both the sin and the sinner from the perspective of the Old Testament Jew.
However, according to the Spirit Of The Law of the New Covenant, "Love the sinner but hate the sin" is
an entirely accurate sentiment of Kingdom philosophy.
By the Spirit Of The Law, we see an entirely new dimension of meaning, a total repudiation of the
philosophies which grew out of the Letter Of The Law in this instance. Total condemnation had
always been intended as the sole Role of God. It was never to be the role of men and women. We
are permitted to judge between good and evil, but we not to condemn or hate those people who are evil
or act wickedly. That remains the sole Providential role of God:
Romans 12:19 - "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath [of God]: for
it is written, 'Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.'"
Deuteronomy 32:35 is the source of this quote in Romans, and we see the context (Deuteronomy
32:31) is about the intended sentiment of God toward the enemies of His own People, Israel.

In modern Jewish culture, the Jewish people lost sight of some of these sentiments in the Torah. So,
so many wars had been permitted by God against enemies, that the Jewish people failed to realize
they were only an instrument of God against His enemies; that hate and condemnation was His role
in Divine Justice, not something for the Jewish people to engage. See Proverbs 24:17.
Jesus is correcting the Jewish misapplication of the Torah in this instance. He is laying down an
entirely new way for how to deal with evil and errant people. He is saying we need to forgive them,
love them, forebear them with mercy, and do good toward them. This Truth was something revealed
in the Torah, but it wasn't emphasized. It was greatly overwhelmed by other Torah commandments
and misapplication of the same. These permitted justification of civil revenge and implementation of
humanized justice as "Eye for an eye" and capital punishment. We discussed the Letter Of The Law
regarding "Eye for and eye" earlier in this Bible study series. Now we are seeing Jesus set limits on
the human emotion of hate and actions toward our enemies.
In conclusion, the Spirit Of The Law says we're to do good to those who would intend us harm, even in
courts of human law (1st Corinthians 6:4-8). We are to trust God to vindicate us when enemies come
to attack, for the battle belongs to the Lord (1st Samuel 17:47). When it come to wars and personal
violence against the guilty wicked, we are to be pacifists through the Power of Jesus Christ. This
pacifism is NOT empty! It is full of Divine Power and Justice! We must grasp this! Our pacifism is
defined as our doing good things, through trusting the Holy Spirit, for enemies and wicked people who
intend us harm. We are to give them the Truth and Gospel through our actions and words, even if our
mercy and love toward them might cost us our human lives. Early Era Christians often went willingly
to the lions of the Roman Colosseum. Do we dare say we're better than them?
Here is more of the Spirit Of The Law regarding enemies and the wicked, be they nations or
individuals:
Romans 12:17 through 21 - "Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the
eyes of everybody. (18) If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. (19)
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I
will repay,' says the Lord. (20) On the contrary, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give
him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals [of conviction of guilt through what
is truth] on his head. (21) Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
Notice the New Testament commandment in verse 21. It represents the application of the Spirit Of The
Law regarding unconditional mercy and love of Christ toward wicked people and enemies. The Letter
Of The Law would say take revenge, go to war, kill, execute them when found guilty in court, and
similar. Jesus says show unconditional MERCY and LOVE... since He showed us the SAME at His
Cross.
Matthew 26:52 - "'Put your sword back in its place,' Jesus said to him, 'for all who draw the sword will
die by the sword.'"
Jesus makes the point that the sword He asked them to buy earlier (Luke 22:36) isn't the solution they
supposed it to be for controlling evil and gaining freedom. The unconditional Love and Mercy of Jesus
toward wicked people and enemies is the Solution. Abiding in Jesus is our Freedom and Rest, even if
we find ourselves in the prison of our enemies... or even while we're in this temporary prison of this
dark world realm; for, in Truth, we are not of this wicked world anymore. We are freed of it and have
been transferred into His Kingdom. John 17:14 and Colossians 1:13.

Letter Of The Law Versus The Spirit Of The Law - Bible Study - Part VII
Letter Of The Law:
Leviticus 11:31 through 38 - "These are the ones that are unclean to you among all the swarming
things. Anyone who touches them when they die will be unclean until evening. Also, anything they fall
on when they die will become unclean—any wood vessel or garment or article of leather or sackcloth.
Any such vessel with which work is done must be immersed in water and will be unclean until the
evening. Then it will become clean. As for any clay vessel they fall into, everything in it will become
unclean and you must break it. Any food that may be eaten which becomes soaked with water will
become unclean. Anything drinkable in any such vessel will become unclean. Anything their carcass
may fall on will become unclean. An oven or small stove must be smashed to pieces; they are unclean,
and they will stay unclean to you. However, a spring or a cistern which collects water will be clean, but
one who touches their carcass will be unclean. Now, if such a carcass falls on any sowing seed which
is to be sown, it is clean, but if water is put on the seed and such a carcass falls on it, it is unclean to
you."
From the above, through the passing centuries, the Jewish religious leadership developed oral traditions
for cleanliness before eating meals. These traditions were their practical interpretation for how to
remain in compliance to the Law. Cleanliness was both ritual and practical. This involved washing
the feet, hands, eating utensils, cups, bowls, pots, and similar. By washing these things, a person was
helping to ensure those things were purified from potentially having come into contact with unclean
things listed in Leviticus and elsewhere in the Torah. While such cleanliness is not commanded
specifically in these ways, it was certainly logical and implied. We see examples of it in Judges 19:21
and Genesis 18:3-5. These traditions were eventually recorded in the Jewish Mishnah. It was the
written record of their interpretations and traditions.
Spirit Of The Law:
Luke 11:38 through 41 - "The Pharisee was astonished when he saw that Jesus did not first wash his
hands before the meal. But the Lord said to him, 'Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and
the plate, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You fools! Didn't the one who made the
outside make the inside as well? But give from your heart [as selfless motive] to those in need, and
then everything will be clean for you."
Comment:
Jesus is informing us that ritualistic cleanliness, which the Jewish leadership viewed as important, was
not a true indication of the state of pureness within us, of our motives and heart. This takes us back to
Matthew 5:28 where Jesus says the sin of adultery could also occur in the mind (heart) without the
physical actions. Jesus is concerned with our intentions and motives in defining sin. Outward
appearances do not always accurately reveal holiness. Jesus makes this point in John 7:24. He wants us to
understand the Spirit of the Law.
Luke 11:42/45/46 - "But woe to you Pharisees! You give a tenth of your mint, rue, and every herb, yet
you neglect justice and love for God [in motive and action]! But you should have done these things
without neglecting the others. Woe to you experts [Scribes] in Religious Law as well! You load people
down with burdens difficult to bear, yet you yourselves refuse to touch the burdens with even one of
your fingers!"

By burdens, Jesus means all the various traditional outward requirements imposed in order for the
people to remain in compliance with religious Law. These burdens often involved costs which the poor
couldn't afford. This effectively excluded some of them from associated religious affairs of Jewish
culture. These rules were also very numerous; meaning, a person could easily forget one of them, then
find themselves in trouble with the Temple leadership.
Mark 7:14/15 - "After Jesus called the crowd to Him again, He began saying to them, 'Listen to Me, all
of you, and understand: there is nothing outside the man which can defile him if it goes into him; but
the things which proceed out of the man [as his words and actions] are what defile the man."
While talking about Jewish regulations for clean and unclean, Jesus again makes the point that
compliance with these regulations do not necessarily reveal a person to be pure. Here, Jesus is giving
us a principle which reveals it is impossible for food to corrupt a person; regardless if it is ceremonially
clean or not.
Mark 7:17 - "When Jesus had left the crowd and entered the house, His disciples questioned Him about
theparable."
The disciples are concerned, because by the letter of the Law they were not permitted to eat certain
animals and creatures; example pork (pig). They are seeking clarification concerning Leviticus 11:1-8.
Mark 7:18 - "Are you so lacking in understanding also? Do you not understand that whatever goes into
the man from outside cannot defile him, because it does not go into his heart, but into his stomach, and
is eliminated?"
The concern is not just about eating with unclean hands, but Jesus has expanded the context to the food
regulations themselves.
Mark 7:20 through 23 - "That which proceeds out of the man [as words and actions], that is what
defiles the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts,
murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride
and foolishness. All these evil things proceed from within [our inner nature] and defile the man."
Jesus is not only revealing the Spirit of the Law, but is annulling the letter of the Old Covenant Law for
what can and cannot be consumed. This is a great debate among Messianic Jews and some Christian
groups. These groups still refuse to recognize Jesus has annulled this part of Old Covenant Law. He
probably saw it as problematic for the coming New Covenant where trust in the Holy Spirit is
paramount, therefore it was just better to annul the Old Covenant regulation in this instance. It served
no New Covenant purpose, except in a hygienic manner to avoid diseases. However, we know food
related diseases can be avoided by proper preservation, storage, and cooking. God knew human
societies would eventually come to know this.
We see this theme confirmed in the epistles as well; example, Acts 10:9-16. It can't be dismissed as
coincidence. All food may be consumed after a proper blessing according to 1st Timothy 4:2-5. This is
irrespective of food being "Organic" or "Processed," because the underlying New Covenant principle
has NOT changed. The food is NOT what blesses us, because it has no Divine Power to bless us or
harm us. Idols have no Divine Power! God is our Sustainer and Life, even in matters of our health. We
must not have faith in food to bless us or harm us! We must have faith in God instead! We must live
by faith, not sight (2nd Corinthians 5:7)! We cannot successfully live by the natural science of this
world. As reminded in Matthew 4:4, we must live by every word which proceeds out of the Mouth of
God. This is much the meaning of Romans 10:17.

Finally, in Mark 7:21-23 Jesus also reveals that the desire to sin comes from within the flesh nature, the
human heart; what we call the human mind and ego of ourselves in our modern times. We see this
confirmed in James 1:14 and Galatians 5:17. Even after we become Christians, the capacity for evil
from the heart remains to tempt us if we don't renew the heart as mind (Romans 12:2). Through the
strength of the Holy Spirit, we must practice self-control over the wicked impulses from our heart as
our mind (Galatians 5:22). Furthermore, we also are to deny and mortify those wicked impulses
originating from within ourselves (Luke 9:23, Romans 8:13, and Colossians 3:5). While Ezekiel 36:26
promises a new heart, this new heart is one which is characterized as a new heart of flesh, not hard,
therefore able to be RENEWED and LEARN; but the capacity to be tempted by the depraved human
sentiments of our flesh still remains!
A Note. The case can be correctly made that the Lord has written the Law or Torah on our hearts. We
see this in Hebrews 8:10 and Hebrews 10:16. The question is, WHICH "Law" did the Lord write into
our hearts? May I suggest the Lord wrote the New Covenant Spirit Of The Law into our hearts, not the
Old Covenant letter of it. How did He do this? He did it by putting His Holy Spirit in us! This means
we have access to His Mind (1st Corinthians 2:16). We know the Law reveals sin (Romans 7:7), but
this revelation comes more quickly to us by learning the Spirit Of The Law (see the example in
Matthew 5:27/28). The Holy Spirit teaches us the Spirit Of The Law (John 14:26)! God judges our
actions by our motives and intentions. He doesn't judge us by the Letter Of Law separate of our
motives and intentions. We see an example of this in Matthew 12:9-14.

Letter Of The Law Versus The Spirit Of The Law - Bible Study - Part VIII
Letter Of The Law:
Leviticus 12:3 - "On the eighth day the boy is to be circumcised."
This comes from Genesis:
Genesis 17:9 through 14 - "Then God said to Abraham, 'As for you, you must keep My Covenant, you
and your descendants after you for the generations to come. (10) This is My Covenant [Contract] with
you and your descendants after you, the Covenant you are to keep: every male among you shall be
circumcised. (11) You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between Me
and you. (12) For the generations to come every male among you who is eight days old must be
circumcised, including those born in your household or bought with money from a foreigner—those
who are not your offspring. (13) Whether born in your household or bought with your money, they
must be circumcised. My Covenant in your flesh is to be an everlasting Covenant. (14) Any
uncircumcised male, who has not been circumcised in the flesh, will be cut off from his people; he has
broken My Covenant'" [Genesis 17:1-8 explains what this Old Covenant was about].
Spirit Of The Law:
Romans 2:28/29 - "A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward
and physical. (29) No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the
heart, by the Holy Spirit, not by the written code [Law; Torah]..."
Apostle Paul has a lot to say about "circumcision." He rejected it on the basis of the New Covenant.
Here are some more reasons God gave through Apostle Paul to reject Old Covenant circumcision; The
Letter Of The Law:
Galatians 5:2 through 6 - "Here is what I, Paul, say to you. Don't let yourselves be circumcised. If you do,
Christ won't be of any value to you. (3) I say it again. Every man who lets himself be circumcised must
obey the whole law [Torah]. (4) Some of you are trying to be made right [justified] with God by
obeying the Law [Letter of]. You have been separated from Christ. You have fallen away from God's
grace. (5) But we expect to be made completely holy [righteous, sinless, justified] because of our faith
[trust/belief] in Christ. Through the Holy Spirit we wait in hope. (6) Circumcision and uncircumcision
aren't worth anything to those who believe in Christ Jesus. The only thing that really counts is faith that
shows itself through love!"
Comment:
This problem with circumcision takes us back to the whole problem about being under the Letter Of
The Law versus being under The Spirit Of The Law. Even God explained the Spirit Of The Law
regarding circumcision in the Old Covenant. Notice verse six below. These passages are about the
FUTURE as prophesy.

Deuteronomy 30:1 through 7 - "When all these blessings and curses I have set before you come upon
you and you take them to heart wherever the LORD your God disperses you among the nations, (2) and
when you and your children return to the LORD your God and obey Him with all your heart and with
all your soul according to everything I command you today, (3) then the LORD your God will restore
your fortunes and have compassion on you and gather you again from all the nations where he scattered
you. (4) Even if you have been banished to the most distant land under the heavens, from there the
LORD your God will gather you and bring you back [this happened in 1948]. (5) He will bring you to
the land that belonged to your fathers, and you will take possession of it. He will make you more
prosperous and numerous than your fathers. (6) The LORD your God will circumcise your hearts and
the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love Him with all your heart and with all your soul, and
live. (7) The LORD your God will put all these curses on your enemies who hate and persecute you."
Let's examine in detail the whole debate Apostle Paul had regarding being under the Law versus Grace.
This is the summary conclusion for this entire Bible study. Paul spoke out directly against the need to
follow the Letter Of The Law as expressed in Jewish Traditions. This is why some modern fringe groups
accuse him to be a "false apostle." A correct understanding of Salvation leads to Christian practice and
accountability according to the Spirit Of The Law. Our Salvation depends on Imputed Grace of Jesus
Christ, not flawless compliance to the Letter Of The Law each second of every day.
Galatians 2:14 (NIV) - "When I saw that they [Peter and his friends] were not acting in line with the
Truth of the Gospel, I said to Peter in front of them all, "You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not
like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?" [instead of using the word
"customs," the KJV says: "Why compel, thou, the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?" With either translation,
the meaning is still effectually the same. Paul is referring to circumcision in particular.]
See Galatians 2:11 through 21 for the details. It is clear the word "custom" includes all aspects of
Jewish customs or culture ("live as do the Jews"). This obviously does include the various feasts
celebrated by the Jews. Paul understood that it was unreasonable to expect Christian Gentiles to
learn about various Jewish ordinances and feasts and participate in them. Why? Because, in many
cases, a Gentile needed to be a proselyte Jew before he would be allowed to participate (or be
permitted on the Temple grounds, which existed in these times)! This meant the Gentile would need
to be circumcised (see Genesis 17:11 and Exodus 12:48). Circumcision as an adult could lead to
death! It was a dangerous painful surgical practice. Now, what is true for Christian Gentiles, should
also be true for Christian Jews, because it is reasonable to expect all the principles of Christianity to
be equally true for both Christian Jews and Gentiles - so that we live as one new humanity:
Ephesians 2:15/16 (NRSV) - "He [Jesus] has abolished the law [Torah] with its commandments and
ordinances, that He might create in Himself one new humanity [RSV says: "new man"] in place of
the two [Jew and Gentile], thus making peace, (16) and might reconcile both groups to God in One
Body [or "People"] through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it."
Much of the WHOLE point of the putting an end to the ritual practice of Jewish traditions, the Letter
Of The Law, was so our Savior could unite all people under His Son; thusly putting an end to
thousands of years of various wars between the Jews and Gentiles! Putting an end to the age-old Abel
and Cain feud! Selfless LOVE and unconditional forgiveness, GRACE, is the summary of the Spirit Of
The Law... which we are now under as Christians.

In Galatians 2:14 (quoted earlier), Paul is basically saying that Peter often honored aspects of Jewish
culture when he was with Jews in order that he might be better accepted by them (11-13). Paul did not
like the apparent "Double standard" of Peter. Why? Because we are either free from the Law or not; if
free, then we should live under the Grace (unmerited favor of Christ; as the Spirit Of The Law). The
practical social application was this: that the ritual "Work" of "Circumcision" was not needed for
Christians: regardless if Jew or Gentile. The means or mechanism of "Circumcision" changed: it was no
longer to be accomplished by a Jewish priest in a physical temple building, but it to be accomplished by
the High Priest of Jesus Christ as the Holy Spirit dwelling in the Christian Believer (as explained in
Romans 2:28/29)! This is why God ripped the Jewish Temple curtain in half, then later destroyed the
Jewish Temple in about 70AD. All people have DIRECT access to becoming "Proselyte Jews" of God
through "Circumcision" of the heart by the Holy Spirit! This is why the human body is now as a "Temple"
in 1st Corinthians 6:19.
Also, New Testament Scriptures indicate, or strongly imply, that the Jewish feasts and ordinances are
not needed anymore, because the need for them was ended by Christ (Jesus "Accomplished" the
original need for the Law; see Matthew 5:18 and Ephesians 2:15 above).
Some people say some of the feasts were supposed to endure forever (example: "The Feast of
Tabernacles" in Leviticus 23:39-43); yet we know God can and does change His mind about whatever
He declared or promised in some earlier time (see Exodus 32:14; Jonah 3:10; Matthew 5:38/39; and
Matthew 5:33-37). Which Jewish feasts should remain and be honored is hot debate among some
Christian groups, yet the Scriptures seem to tell us that some rituals (perhaps all) are not applicable to
the Church in a mandatory way. Commonsense seems to tell us that many of the Jewish feasts and
ordinances are not required simply due to changed circumstances between the Old and New
Covenants. That is, to perform many of them under the New Covenant will require violating the Old
Testament instructions for performing them, but such violations are NOT granted by Scripture. Also,
civil law will not generally permit the slaughtering lambs and applying lamb blood around the door of
one's home; there is not a "Holy Temple" to attend in Jerusalem for the feast of "Passover" as
required in the Old Testament.
Romans 14:5 (RSV) - "One man esteems one day as better than another, while another man esteems all
days alike...
Romans 14:5 is a likely reference to pagan religious aspects. However, it is nicely explained in
Colossians:
Colossians 2:16/17 (NIV) - "Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with
regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. (17) These are a shadow of
the things that were to come; the Reality, however, is found in Christ."
These passages make it clear that aspects of pagan cultures and Jewish cultures need not be included in
the Christian Church. This even includes the Sabbath itself (Jews also considered the other days of the
week "Sabbath days" for those religious festivals taking several days to occur). Some people say these
verses are referring only to pagan ordinances and festivals. This is not true, because the Sabbath is
Jewish! Also, earlier in the chapter (Colossians 2:8-4), Paul mentions "Circumcision" and "Human
tradition." Circumcision was a Jewish tradition under the Old Covenant. This suggests that Paul was
exhorting the Christian Gentiles to disregard the judgmental attitudes of those who insist on practicing
various pagan or Jewish rituals (including the various Jewish "Feasts").

Regarding Sabbaths and Sundays: everyday should be the Christian's Sabbath or "Sunday." It was not
uncommon for Early Church Christians to meet nearly every day for fellowship and worship (Acts
2:46; Early Church history also indicates this). The Lord's Supper was weekly according to Acts 2:42,
Acts 20:7, and 1st Corinthians 16:2 (also confirmed in Early Church history according to Didache,
Justin Martyr, and Everett Ferguson)! The Christian standard for worship and fellowship is actually
higher than that of the Orthodox Jew living according to the social and religious traditions of the
Torah (Law).
Let's examine additional discussion in Galatians which explain Paul's desire to prevent Jewish customs
from being declared as mandatory, Letter Of The Law philosophy, and brought into the Christian
Church:
Galatians 4:8 through 10 (NIV) - "Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those
who by nature are not gods: (8) But now that you know God; or, rather, are known by God: how is it
that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? [of the world and the rules of men]
Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? (10) You are observing special days and months
and seasons and years!"
Verse 10 is a reference to the pagan culture (to include idol worship); and Paul is also, perhaps,
referencing the Jewish culture (given the overall-all context of Galatians). Paul was saying that the
Gentile converts need not, should not, follow the pagan customs (feasts and celebrations) which took
place on certain days, months, or years. This likely included Jewish cultural aspects mentioned in
Colossians 2:16/17 (including the various feasts and observances given in the Old Testament). We
already know that the Jewish food purity ordinances ("clean" and "unclean") were ended by Jesus in
Mark 7:19 (also see Romans 14:20 and 1st Timothy 4:3-5).
Galatians 4:17 (NIV) - "Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is
to alienate you from us, so that you may be zealous for them."
Galatians 4:17 suggests there were some would-be leaders trying to lead the Gentile Christians into the
ways of Jewish culture and/or lead the Gentiles back into the ways of pagan culture (idol worship
and related feasts). There was clearly a problem with many Jewish Christians NOT wanting to stop
doing what was part of their cultural identity as Jewish people: the rituals of the Law (Torah) in the
Old Testament.
Galatians 4:21 (NIV) - "Tell me, you who want to be under the Law [Torah], are you not aware of what
theLaw says?"
In Galatians 4:21 we see a mention about Christian Gentiles who are wanting to practice the Jewish
customs as expressed in the Torah (Old Testament Law). Paul disagrees with this. A return to the Law
would be a form of bondage and fall from grace (Galatians 5:4 below).
Galatians 5:1 through 5 (NRSV) - "For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not
submit again to a yoke of slavery [of the rituals of a poor system; see Hebrews 8:7]. (2) Listen! I, Paul,
am telling you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you. (3) Once
again, I testify to every man who lets himself be circumcised, that he is obliged to obey the entire Law
[Torah]. (4) You who want to be justified by the Law have cut yourselves off from Christ; you have
fallen away from grace [the Law doesn't "save" or "justify" by rituals or deeds when in Christ]."

In Galatians 5:1 through 5, we finally discover Paul's primary concern about the Christian Gentiles:
they were being drawn into Jewish culture by dubious would-be Jewish authorities (Galatians 4:17).
These Jewish Christian authorities wanted the Christian Gentiles to be circumcised in order to become
"Proselyte Jews" (see Genesis 17:11 and Exodus 12:48); this would socially permit the Christian
Gentiles to practice other aspects of Jewish culture which took place on certain "Days, months, and
years" (Galatians 4:10).
We can see from the other Scriptures in Galatians that Paul is not just concerned about circumcision,
but he is concerned about other all aspects of Jewish culture; he is concerned about all pagan cultural
aspects; and he is concerned about all religious feasts and ordinances, both Jewish and pagan.
Again, Paul is saying that Christians need not honor these rituals of the Old Testament, because
Christians are under grace and justified by grace, not the Law (as ordinances from the Old Testament to
gain atonement for sin for continued fellowship and favor from God).
In American culture, there are many movements* which demand we honor the Jewish feasts and
ordinances, yet the Bible makes it clear that this is not necessarily practical or needed.
* Examples would be: "Worldwide Church of God" (this cult was formed by the false prophet Herbert
W. Armstrong), Jehovah Witnesses, "Jesus Only" churches (they also don't accept Trinity and reject
Jesus as God Incarnate), Seventh Day Adventists, and various "Messianic" movements. For obvious
reasons, some "Messianic" movements even consider Paul to be a "False Apostle."
We know there are times when we must honor the customs or beliefs of other Christians who do not yet
know the full extent of their freedom in Christ. We honor such things so that these immature Christians
do not stumble in their faith by feeling that they must violate their conscience in order to live as
Christians (see Romans 14:14 below).
Romans 14:14 (NRSV) - I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but
it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean.
1st Timothy 4:3 through 5 (NIV) - "They [errant teachers] forbid people to marry and order them to
abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and
who know the truth. (4) For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is
received with thanksgiving, (5) because it is consecrated by the Word of God and prayer."
Some Christian Jews were offended that Christian Gentiles would purchase "unclean" meat (example:
pork) at the market. Other Christian Jews were offended that Christian Gentiles would eat meat which
came from a temple sacrifice of a false god (only part of the animal was sacrificed; the meat was often
sold at the market).
Romans 14:20 (NRSV) - "Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed
clean, but it is wrong for you to make others fall by what you eat."
These two verses apply to every thing, not just food! See below:
1st Corinthians 8:9 (NIV) - "Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a
stumbling block to the weak." [as immature Christians: either Jew or Gentile]
1st Corinthians 10:32 (NIV) - "Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the Church of
God."

2nd Corinthians 6:3 (NIV) - "We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not
be discredited."
1st Corinthians 6:12 (RSV) - "All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful. All things are
lawful for me, but I will not be enslaved by anything."
1st Corinthians 10:23 (RSV) - "All things are lawful, but not all things are helpful. All things are
lawful, but not all things build up."
Finally, in spite of Paul's various teachings in Galatians, and his dispute with Peter, we see that Paul
did sometimes honor some Jewish customs: these included aspects about vows (Acts 18:18 and Acts
21:21-26), He circumcised Timothy for fear of the Jews (Acts 16:3), and He attended certain feasts
(Acts 20:16 or 1st Corinthians 5:7 through 8). While Paul and Jesus did practice certain Jewish feasts
and ordinances; they, by their actions, are not saying these Jewish traditions must be brought in the
Christian Church in a mandatory manner. So why did Paul practice some of the Jewish rituals? Some
of the previous Scriptures explain this, but also consider this:
1st Corinthians 9:18 through 23 (NIV) - "Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a
slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. (20) To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews.
To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as
to win those under the law. (21) To those not having the law I became like one not having the law
(though I am not free from God's law, but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law.
(22) To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so
that by all possible means I might save some. (23) I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may
share in its blessings."
Our actions should be about loving each other; about loving the lost and leading them to Jesus; about
how to bless each other; about how to serve each other; about bringing glory to God and reflecting His
glory through our actions. We are to love others and edify them (Romans 2:4). Our love may even
come at our own expense physically (even with pain). Our love should be unconditional for others,
even if we disagree with some of their beliefs or behaviors. Why? Because we are to bear the
differences/burdens/sins of each other (Galatians 6:2; Matthew 18:21 through 22; Colossians 3:13;
James 5:9; Philippians 2:3; and Romans 14:1).
Romans 14:7 through 8 (RSV) - "None of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. (8) If we
live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die,
wearetheLord's."
Philippians 2:3 (KJV) - "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory [selfish ambition]; but in
lowliness of mind let each esteem [or highly regard] others better [or more supreme] than themselves."
James 5:9 (NRSV) - "Beloved, do not grumble [complain] against one another... "
Romans 14:1 (RSV) - "As for the man who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not for disputes over
opinions."
1st John 4:7 (NRSV) - "Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who
loves is born of God and knows God."

Wrapping it up: The Body Of Christ does celebrate certain "Feasts" as MEMORIALS, as inspired by
the Holy Spirit. Examples are Easter and Christmas. There is nothing wrong in adding others: perhaps a
Christian form of "Tabernacles," but only if we don't loose perspective as Christians. "Feasts" do not
force God's favor upon us. They are ONLY about helping us to focus on adoring Him in loving
worship, and remembering what He has done for us, and in us, through His Son.
This concludes this Bible Study. Much more could be said about the Letter Of The Law versus the
Spirit Of The Law. There are many more examples in the New Testament where the Spirit Of The Law is
the BEST Way to understand and apply The Law as taught by Moses, Jesus, and His Apostles.
Love in Jesus, Tracy

Letter_vs_Spirit_5

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