SATISFYING THE LAW OF GOD
Jesus Christ came to satisfy the letter of God’s Law; and to show us how to live by the spirit of the Law. Jesus fulfilled and accomplished everything required of the covenant of the Old Testament Law and prophets (Matthews 5:17-18; Galatians, Deuteronomy 18:15). He established a new spiritual covenant by dying and sacrificing his blood on a cross (Matthews26:28). His sacrifice satisfies the Law for all who repent and accept his atonement for their sins or violation of God’s Law. (John 3:16-18; Acts 2:38). The Holy Spirit which the Lord has given his followers enables them to live according to the Spirit of God. Matt. 22:36-40).
Jesus gave us examples of living by the Spirit of the Law, in his love of God and others (Matthew 22:40). He obeyed His Father in laying down his life our sins (Philippians 2:6-8). Before he died, he went around doing good for other (Acts10:38).
SPIRIT AND LETTER OF THE LAW
The Lord emphasized living according to the Spirit of the Law over knowing the letter of the Law (Romans 2:13). For The letter kills but the Spirit makes alive (2 Corinthians 3:6). A Pharisee who was an expert in the letter of the Law, asked Jesus, which is the greatest Law. Jesus answered, stressing the Spirit of the Law: “Love the Lord your God with all you heart and with all your soul and all you mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:35-40; John 4:23).
SINFUL WOMAN: SPIRIT OR LETTER OF THE LAW? On an occasion when Jesus was speaking to a crowd, expert teachers of the Law, Scribes and Pharisees, brought a woman to him whom they claimed was caught in adultery. They asked Jesus if she should be stoned to death as the Mosaic Law prescribed? Jesus stooped down and began to write on the ground. He looked up and said, let the one who is without sin cast the first stone. He continued to write on the ground. When he looked up again, everyone had left. Jesus then ask the woman, does anyone condemn you? She said, no one, sir. The Lord said , neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more (John8:1-11).
Jesus would have us l to understanding we all need help and forgiveness from God (Leviticus 5:17; James 2:10-13; Psalm 121:2). And he would have us to be tenderhearted and forgiving to others as God is toward us–to love according to the Spirit of God’s Law (Ephesians 4:32).
GOOD SAMARITAN ANSWERS “WHO IS MY NEIGHBOR?” The Law says, you should Love God with all your heart, and your neighbor as yourself. But in trying to justify himself, an expert in the Law asked Jesus, “Who is my Neighbor?.” Jesus told a story: There was a man who was robbed and left for dead. Along came a priest who saw him and passed by him on the other side. Then another religious man saw him and passed by on the other side. But when a Samaritan saw him, the Samaritan bandaged the man’s wounds and took him to and inn to care for him. The conclusion was that the Samaritan who showed mercy was the neighbor in spirit. Jesus said, go and do like the Samaritan in the story. (Luke 10:25-37)
GOD REWARDS US FOR LIVING BY THE SPIRIT
Jesus said the greatest love we can have and do for God is to repent, believe in and obey his Son, whom God gave to die for our sins (John 3:16; John 6:29; 40). And the Lord said he would reward those who love God; and love and forgive others as he has loved us (John 13:34-35; Luke 11:4) . Among things he mentions we might do to manifest love for God and others is to visit the sick and shut-in, and help and care for the needy (Matthew 25:34-40). Our Lord and Savior promised us eternal life in heaven for loving and obeying God with all our heart , and showing others the love he has shown us. We should satisfy the Lord by living by the Spirit of God’s Law?
