Too Much is Never Enough

"...(N)ot of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life."

Lots of people like to point out that we are no longer under the law of Moses. That we are not held to the requirements of obedience and adherence to the demands of legalism is a point of great emphasis for the Christian community. I am grateful that the Grace and Mercy of Jesus has fulfilled the Law on my behalf and I can boldly approach the throne of Grace. However (you knew that was coming), I think that we shortchange ourselves and God Almighty by misapplying that Truth.

The Law, from a Jewish perspective, was intended to put limitations on the recompense for sin. Before the Law, there were no boundaries. If someone stole your camel, you could go and destroy his entire family and there was nothing to appeal to. Along came the Mosaic ordinance and it was stated "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth". That meant that your punishment should fit the crime. Further instituted in the Law were provisions of sacrifice for sin. Now if you stole a camel, there was a certain penalty to be paid. The most egregious acts were given a more severe sentence than a minor offence.

Now comes Jesus, preaching and teaching the Kingdom of God in a new and profound way. His emphasis was not on the Law and its punitive aspects, but rather on the idea behind the Law that we should love God enough not to sin, and that should someone falter, there should be enough love for that individual to make the penalty equitable. He spoke of His words as "Spirit and Life". He came to not only give an insight into God's love for humanity, but also to provide a means to a higher level of understanding the relationship humanity should share with God.

Now it was not the limitations of the Law that should govern our hearts, but the possibilities of the Spirit! Not a poverty mindset of "If I do this bad thing, I will have to pay this price", but rather a Child-of-the-King mentality of "With God all things are possible".

Following the Spirit is actually a lot more demanding than following the Law. It means that you are no longer reading a writ for guidance, but that you are now seeking God continually to bestow His will upon you. The letter kills. Not because its requirements are evil, but because it doesn't give the power to fulfill itself. The Spirit gives life because it means you have partaken of that heavenly gift in order to not only avoid sin, but to fulfill the ultimate purposes of the Law's intent: A fuller, deeper relationship with our Creator.