The Letter of the Law or the Spirit of the Law

“…the letter kilter, but the spirit giveth life” — 2 Cor. 3:6

“…we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in the newness of the spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter” —Rom. 7:6

Do you know of someone who is a stickler about keeping every minute detail of every rule and regulation? They draw a line more narrow than any line God has drawn.

Sometimes God will accept an act of worship that is performed in an unscriptural way, when the heart motive is right. In 2 Chronicles 30:15-21 the Jews had not observed the passover for a very long time due to the wicked reign of Ahaz. After Hezekiah became king, a great revival broke out and the Jews resumed observing the passover. However, many of the children of Israel ate the passover who had not cleansed themselves “otherwise than it was written.” God could have judged them on the spot. “But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, The good Lord pardon every one that prepared his heart to seek God… though he be not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary. And the Lord hearkened to Hezekiah, and healed the people” (2 Chron. 30:18-20).

For some of the brethren, everything must be done exactly right and “according to the book.” They hold to the letter of the law. God is more interested in us keeping the spirit of the law.

I’m glad we don’t have to have our “i’s” dotted and “t’s” crossed exactly right, to be acceptable to God. God is a God of grace. May we all exhibit that same kind of grace when dealing with erring brothers and sisters in Christ. If their heart is perfect before God is more important than their actions being exactly perfect.

May we be like Hezekiah and simply pray for an erring saint, “The good Lord pardon everyone.” Amen.