24 The Letter of the Law
Fred and Greg were having a debate on the issue of the Sabbath. Fred was a Protestant who faithfully attended Sunday service, while Greg believed in going to church every Saturday instead.
Greg: "...yes, I believe that Saturday is the Sabbath day. That is why I go to church on Saturdays instead of Sundays now. I believe that I should keep the Sabbath."
Fred: "Come on now, you are being too legalistic. The Sabbath was abolished along with all those Israelite rituals when Christ died for us at Calvary."
Greg: "Legalistic?"
Fred: "Yes, my friend, you need to follow the spirit of the Law now, not the letter of the Law.
Greg: "The spirit of the law?"
Fred: "Yes, you are only placing unnecessary burdens on yourself like the Pharisees!"
Greg: "Wait a minute now, think about what you are saying. It's impossible to only follow the spirit of the Law and not the letter of the Law!"
Fred: "Greg, what are you talking about?"
Greg: "Okay, Fred, let's take take the 7th commandment of "thou shalt not commit adultery" as an example.
Fred: "Fine, I'm listening."
Greg: "You would agree that the letter of the Law is to not commit the actual act of adultery."
Fred: "Of course."
Greg: "Jesus said that people actually break this commandment if they lust after a woman by merely looking at a her, which would be the spirit of the Law."
Fred: "I can agree with that."
Greg: "Now my question to you is how can you keep the spirit of the 7th commandment and be able to not follow the letter of the 7th commandment?"
Fred: "I...um...er...I need to think about this for a minute..."
Jesus' criticism of the Pharisees showed that it is impossible to break the spirit of the Law while following the letter of the Law. However, it is not true of the converse, if one were to keep the spirit of the Law, then one must also follow the letter of the Law. It is impossible to keep the spirit of the law and break the letter of the Law at the same time. Following the 10 Commandments including keeping the Sabbath on the 7th day is not legalistic, but an expression of obedience. We are not following the 10 Commandments to be saved, but BECAUSE we are saved! It is written in John 14:5 that Jesus said, "if you love Me, keep My commandments." Will you try to keep God's commandments, including keeping the Sabbath holy?
- Recommended reading: Exodus 20:1-26, 1 John 5:1-3
