THE SPIRIT OF THE LAW
Matthew 5:21-22
" 'You have heard it said to those of old, "You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment." But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, "Raca!" shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, "You fool!" shall be in danger of hell fire.' "
The commandment against murder goes back to Genesis (Genesis 9:5-6) and is repeated in the Decalogue (Exodus 20:13). Murder is wrong because it destroys a life that is made in the image of God. But Jesus taught that there is more than one way to kill a person. I can destroy a person by attacking his character. "Raca" is a term for a senseless, emptyheaded person. By my words I can destroy people without murdering them. Jesus was concerned with more than just keeping the law; He wants His people to keep the spirit of the law. I was convicted a few months ago about calling highway drivers who do dumb things "stupid." People do stupid things without meaning to. They (and I) just have lapses of judgment. There is no need to get angry about it. I need to be careful not to be angry when there is no legitimate reason – "without cause."
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: God is just as concerned about keeping the spirit of the law as He is about keeping the letter of the law.
[end]
Have a spirit day. Love you.
Matthew 5:21-22
" 'You have heard it said to those of old, "You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment." But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, "Raca!" shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, "You fool!" shall be in danger of hell fire.' "
The commandment against murder goes back to Genesis (Genesis 9:5-6) and is repeated in the Decalogue (Exodus 20:13). Murder is wrong because it destroys a life that is made in the image of God. But Jesus taught that there is more than one way to kill a person. I can destroy a person by attacking his character. "Raca" is a term for a senseless, emptyheaded person. By my words I can destroy people without murdering them. Jesus was concerned with more than just keeping the law; He wants His people to keep the spirit of the law. I was convicted a few months ago about calling highway drivers who do dumb things "stupid." People do stupid things without meaning to. They (and I) just have lapses of judgment. There is no need to get angry about it. I need to be careful not to be angry when there is no legitimate reason – "without cause."
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: God is just as concerned about keeping the spirit of the law as He is about keeping the letter of the law.
[end]
Have a spirit day. Love you.
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