The Letter vs The Spirit

This transcript was generated automatically. Its accuracy may vary

Short Summary
The discourse contrasts the letter and spirit of God’s law, explaining that while the letter—the law’s literal commands—brings condemnation because humans cannot perfectly fulfill it, the spirit embodies the underlying principle of love, which gives life and guides believers through the Holy Spirit. It traces the covenant from Adam’s original perfect obedience and fall, through Israel’s imperfect adherence, to the new covenant fulfilled by Christ, emphasizing that true righteousness comes from walking in the Spirit, expressing love, sacrifice, and transformation rather than mere external compliance. Ultimately, love is presented as the core of God’s law and the path to spiritual and physical well-being, with the millennial age promising full restoration where humanity can perfectly obey both the letter and spirit of the law.

Long Summary
Detailed Summary of the Discourse on “Letter versus Spirit” with Biblical References

Introduction and Setting the Topic
– The discourse focuses on the contrast between the “letter of the law” and the “spirit of the law,” primarily referencing Romans 8:3-4:
> *“For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”*
– Emphasis on understanding the terms “law” and “Spirit” to apply correctly to the Church and Christian life.

The Law from Adam to Israel
– Adam was created in a covenant relationship with God, with God’s law written in his heart (implied covenant of obedience and eternal life).
– Hosea 6:7 is cited to illustrate that “men” (Adam in Hebrew) transgressed the covenant, indicating mankind’s failure.
– Genesis 2:16-17 described the mandate not to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, with death as the penalty. Adam’s disobedience broke this covenant, changing the relationship between God and man.
– This covenant was “unto life” if perfectly kept, but Adam’s failure brought death and condemnation on mankind.
– The law, initially a source of life, became “unto death” because humans could not keep it perfectly.

The Covenant Given to Israel
– The Mosaic Law was not a new covenant but a reiteration of the original covenant of perfect obedience.
– Israel received the law on stone tablets (Exodus 24:12), unlike Adam who had it inscribed on his heart.
– The law served to convict Israel of sin and prepare them for Christ (the “schoolmaster to bring them to Christ”).
– The Ten Commandments reflected divine justice and truth, forming the basis of all human laws.

The Symbolism of the High Priest’s Breastplate
– The breastplate, worn over the heart, had 12 precious stones symbolizing the 12 tribes of Israel.
– It was double-layered: the front representing the spirit of the law (fulfilled by believers who walk after the Spirit), the back representing the letter of the law as given to fleshly Israel.
– Psalm 40:8 is cited:
> *“I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.”*

Showbread as Spiritual Nourishment
– The showbread on the priestly table symbolized the spiritual food (God’s word/truth) for the true Israel, the consecrated priests (believers).

Jesus’ Fulfillment and Nailing the Law to the Cross
– Colossians 2:14 is discussed:
> *“Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us… and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross.”*
– Jesus did not end God’s law itself but ended the Mosaic law covenant which Israel was under.
– By fulfilling the law perfectly, Jesus became heir to all its blessings, ending the covenant’s privileges for others.
– Jews remain under the condemnation of that covenant unless they accept Christ’s ransom.
– The “letter” of the law refers to literal, external observance, which the Jews could not keep perfectly.

The Letter Kills, the Spirit Gives Life
– The Pharisees exemplified letter-only observance, focusing on minutiae (tithing herbs, sabbath rules) and neglecting justice, mercy, and faithfulness.
– Matthew 23 rebukes Pharisees as hypocrites who appear righteous outwardly but are corrupt inwardly.
– 2 Corinthians 3:6:
> *“Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.”*

The Spirit of the Law: Love
– The spirit underlying the law is summarized by love — love for God and neighbor (James 2:8: “If ye fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well.”)
– Love is the fulfilling of the law; it goes beyond mere rule-following to sacrificial devotion.
– Jesus’ new command:
> *“Love one another as I have loved you.”*
– The rich young ruler’s story (Mark 10) illustrates the failure to grasp the spirit/love of the law despite outward obedience.

Spiritual and Physical Benefits of Love
– Love positively influences mental and physical health: reduces anxiety, depression, stress; improves immune function and sleep; lowers blood pressure and heart disease risk.
– Examples and studies cited from modern sources (University of Texas Health Science Center) reinforce love’s importance.

The Holy Spirit and Understanding the Law
– The Holy Spirit (God’s mind and power) writes the law in believers’ hearts, enabling them to fulfill the law’s righteousness in spirit rather than letter.
– 2 Corinthians 3:2-3:
> *“Ye are our epistle written in our hearts… written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God.”*
– John 4:24:
> *“God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”*
– The Spirit helps believers comprehend the deep things of God beyond the literal words.

The New Covenant and Future Restoration
– The new covenant promises God’s laws written on hearts (Jeremiah 31:33).
– Under Christ’s millennial reign, humanity will be restored and perfected, able to obey both the letter and the spirit of the law perfectly.
– The final judgment (Matthew 25, parable of sheep and goats) will separate those who obey from those who reject God’s law.
– Those who reject will face the “second death” — eternal extinction.

Summary Points
– The letter of the law demands perfect external obedience, which no one but Jesus fulfilled.
– The spirit of the law is the principle and intent behind the law — love and justice.
– Christians are called to walk in the Spirit, empowered by the Holy Spirit, fulfilling the righteousness of the law inwardly.
– Love is the greatest commandment and the fulfilling of the law.
– The law “killeth” because it exposes sin, but the Spirit “giveth life” through transformation and grace.

Closing Poem and Encouragement
– The poem “Love of God” by Horatius Bonar celebrates the eternal, comforting, and sacrificial nature of God’s love.
– The discourse closes with a call to not merely know the law, but to love God and live the spirit of love in all aspects of life.
– Reprint 2735 is quoted:
> *“The ultimate object of all the divine dealings… is the development of love, which is God-likeness. For God is love, and to have this love developed in us… it is necessary that it shall come from a pure heart in full accord with the Lord and his law of love.”*

—

Key Bible Verses Cited:

– Romans 8:3-4
– Hosea 6:7
– Genesis 2:16-17
– Exodus 24:12
– Psalm 40:8
– Colossians 2:14
– Matthew 23:27-28
– 2 Corinthians 3:6, 2-3
– James 2:8
– John 4:24
– Matthew 25 (Parable of Sheep and Goats)
– Jeremiah 31:33

—

Keywords and Themes:
Law and Spirit, letter of the law, spirit of the law, covenant with Adam, Mosaic law, righteousness, love as fulfilling the law, Pharisees’ hypocrisy, Holy Spirit, new covenant, justification by faith, grace, sacrifice, Jesus’ ransom, spiritual transformation, mental and physical health benefits of love, millennial restoration, second death, divine justice, God’s love, Christian discipleship, spiritual life vs. flesh, internalizing God’s law.

—

This discourse deeply explores the contrast between external law-keeping and internal spiritual transformation, emphasizing that true obedience to God’s law is love empowered by the Holy Spirit, culminating in the perfect obedience of Christ and the eventual restoration of humanity.

Transcript

Again, what we’re looking at today is the letter versus the spirit, and we first read from Romans 8:3,4. But first, before I do that, let me bring the love of the Muhammad class once again, and I mentioned those members yesterday and just briefly today, the McClugans that both Danny and Judy and Jim and Linda and sister Sandy Martin, who used to be a McClugan, and also brother Carrie McClugan. We also have brother Bruce Keaton, sister Pam, my wife and myself, of course.

And then who? We also have Sister Deborah and did I miss anybody? So let me I don’t believe I did. So anyway, starting Here with Romans 8:3 to 4, what the law could not do, and that it was weak through the flesh God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. In order to adequately pursue this topic, we need to divine the terms law and Spirit, which should guide us to a clear picture of its application to the Church.

In a general sense, mankind has been required to live up to the God’s law since his creation. Beginning with Adam, we see that God had an implied covenant, one that implied obedience.

Adam, the founder of our race, was created in covenant relationship with God. God’s law was written in his very heart, or in his being. In Hosea 6, 7 we read, they, like men, have transgressed the covenant there have they dealt treacherously against me? Well, in context this scripture is referring to Israel and Judah, the ten and the two tribes. But it also has its application to Adam.

For in the Hebrew, in this verse, the word men means Adam, that’s Hebrews, the number 120 Adam or Ah dom. So again we see this verse applying to mankind, and in revelation rather, in reprint 19 4902, we read, after the creation of Adam, God entered into a covenant relationship with him to the effect that through obedience he might have his eternal life, and then in Genesis 2:16, 17, the Lord God commanded the man, saying, of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it for in the day that thou eatest thereof, thou shalt surely die. Well, we know that Adam failed.

Thus that covenant relationship was broken, that is, the relationship between God and man was changed. It was Adam’s act of disobedience that broke the covenant between God and Adam, by which he was treated as a son and guaranteed everlasting life. Well, this implied covenant, as the pastor terms it, basically held the conditions that Adam was subject to or the law that God imposed. The covenant or promise of life is only for actual conformity, without the slightest deflection for a single instant from the very dawn of existence and forever. This was the covenant made with Adam and Eden.

And the very first small act of disobedience forfeited the covenanted blessing of life, and from that moment forward, the dying man and his dying posterity were incapable in their dying condition of obeying that law. Hence that law which was ordained unto life, whose principles basically are not only worthy of life, but are absolutely necessary to life and happiness. It proved after the fall not to be unto life, but unto death, because no man was able to comply with its covenant conditions. Adam, who was originally able to keep the law inviolate of God, then inscribed in his nature, had forfeited the blessings affirmed on condition of obedience.

He and the race represented in him came under its negative provision of death, the absence of life, since the whole race was thus involved in sin and brought under the negative provision of the first covenant, which provision was unto death. If God would ever again offer them life, it must be under some new covenant whose prescribed conditions man could fulfill such a covenant. Israel not discerning theirs, however, was not a new covenant. Was the very same that was made with Adam and Edom, a promise of eternal life on condition of perfect and continuance obedience to God’s perfect law, Showing us that they’re not under the new covenant or any other covenant other than the original covenant. It was given to Israel on tables of stone, but it was given to Adam, written on a fleshly table of the heart.

In other words, his was a law inscribed nature. Adam could have kept that law, but Israel could not, and its presentation to Israel on tables of stone with the promise of life, if they should keep it, was not with any expectation on God’s part that they would keep it or could keep it, though he knew they would try to do so, and many of them, and we can look at the ancient worthies in particular, made commendable progress. The law was given merely to convince the Jewish people that they could not live up to its expectations in order to prepare them to accept the favor of life upon new conditions.

And these new conditions were intended eventually to open the door of reconciliation, a path back to a relationship with God. As we know, the law was a school master to bring them to Christ, and this is the law given to Moses at Mount Sinai expressed in Exodus 24:12. The Lord said unto Moses, come up to me and to the mount, and be there, and I will give thee tables of stone and a law and commandments which I have written, that thou mayest teach him well. The commandments of the decalogue were merely attempts to bring down to the natural man’s comprehension the real spirit of divine law.

In a sense, we could say that God has only one law for his intelligent creatures, which is based on justice, the very essence of truth. The law given at Sinai has served as the basis in the formulating of all laws since, and is still the standard of all law amongst the wisest and best peoples of earth. Well, underlying the actual wording of my. I’m sorry, hang on a second.

Under, and I missed something here. But anyway, let’s go to the next one. In the realm of moral law, the case is the same. If you violate the principles of righteousness, you deface the image of God in your being.

Impure thoughts write in clearly legible signs upon the countenance the dark lines of a bad character, while pure, just, and mobile thoughts illuminate the countenance and render the pure character transparent to beholders, and the operations of moral law are as sure and reliable as are those of natural law. We also have a picture of this with Somehow these got all messed up with a breastplate, the law emblem. That is, the breastplate was one of the most beautiful of the high priest garments. It was made of the same materials as the Ephod.

It had in it set in gold 12 precious stones, in which were engraved the names of the 12 tribes, and it was bound on his heart, indicating that it was precious to him. As a breastplate of righteousness it covered his heart. That which condemned all imperfection was his pleasure. As we read in Psalms 40, verse 8, I delight to do thy will, O my God.

Yea, thy law is within my heart. Well, he made the breastplate of cunning work like the work of the Ephod of gold, blue and purple and scarlet, and fine twined linen. It was four square. They made the breastplate double. A span was the length of a man, of a length thereof, and a span the breadth thereof.

Being double well a span indicated the law, the full measure of a perfect man’s ability. I see what’s going on now? Hang on a second. I got something in my way here. Here we go.

Just about. Here we go now. That ought to do it.

The fact that it was doubled represented the spirit and letter of the law. The front part, which bore the jewels represent which bore the jewels representing the spirit of the law fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit and the back part representing the law in letter as presented to fleshly Israel, and we have another picture of God’s truth in the show bread thou shalt set upon the table. Show bread before me always well, the showbread represented the truth or the word of life. It represents a spiritual food offered to the true Israel of God.

It was only lawful for the priest to eat granted to the fully consecrated, that by these they might be strengthened to carry out fully their consecration unto death. The Apostle Paul in Colossians 2:14, speaks of Jesus nailing the law to the cross, and it reads, blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross. This expression putting an end to the law is one that is apt to be misunderstood. The question might be viewed from various viewpoints. Jesus never put an end to the law in a very important sense to the word.

The law is the Father’s law. It existed before Jesus came. It still exists. It will always be in existence. Jesus did not put it to an end, and never will put it to an end.

It is God’s law. Briefly summed up in this Jesus said unto him, thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. What then is meant by this expression, putting an end to the law? Upon the basis of that law, as God gave it through Moses to the Israelites, was made a covenant, and that covenant was often called the law because it was the law covenant.

And consequently this word covenant, and because the covenant and the law were so closely associated and vitally connected, covenant was sometimes used when the law was meant, and the word law was used to include the covenant that it was based upon. It was in this sense that Jesus made an end of the law, that is, the law covenant, or the covenant based upon that law. Clarifying further, he made an end of this covenant, and yet he did not make a full end of the law covenant. Even the Jews are still under that law covenant, and certain blessings are to come to them.

As a result, they are now under the condemnation part of that law covenant. But if it were dead, they would not be under its condemnation phase. They could not be under the condemnation of a dead covenant. So it all makes sense when you break it out like that. Jesus therefore made an end simply of the favors, privileges, opportunities granted to The Jews under that covenant.

Well, how did they do this? By himself fulfilling all its obligations, and himself thus becoming the heir of God to the things which the law had promised to the one who would keep it. He kept all his requirements, and thereby became heir and inheritor of all the blessings which that law had promised, and thus he made an end of those blessings so far as others were concerned, and from that time on, no Jew can come in unless recognizing the ransom sacrifice.

Jesus got all the blessings. The Jews can get the curse, but not the blessings. Jesus kept it and won its blessings so that we may now become joint heirs of all the promises made to natural Israel through faith in the Lord Jesus’s ransom and becoming members of his body. The apostles and all Jews coming into this new arrangement presented as a result of the ransom, were no longer bound by the law of covenant. They became dead to the old things of the old arrangement, in order that they might become alive to the better things to God by choosing.

Choosing rather to become the disciples of Jesus, and this explains Colossians 2:14. Having canceled out the certificate of debt, consisting of legal demands which were enforced against us and which were hostile to us, and this certificate he has set aside and completely removed by nailing it to the cross. That’s the amplified version. The letter of the law is what the Jew could not fulfill.

And this refers to the literal outward observance of God’s commandments as written in the Torah, the Ten Commandments on stone tablets. Paul describes it as a ministry of death and condemnation. Because strict adherence exposes sin, but cannot imply, empower perfect obedience. It kills by convicting, without providing life. The letter kills.

Who also hath made us able ministers of the New Testament, not of the letter, but of the Spirit. For the letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life. The Pharisees example that exemplified this. They tithed herbs meticulously, but they ignored the weightier matters of the law, justice and mercy and faithfulness. Their focus on rituals, the sabbath rules, the hand washing, etc.

They miss the law’s heart or true intent. Woe to you, self righteous scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites. For you give a tenth our tithe of your mint and dill and cumin, focusing on minor matters, and have neglected the weightier, more important moral and spiritual provisions of the law, justice and mercy and faithfulness. But these are the primary things you ought to have been doing without neglecting the others. When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, this is again John baptizing.

And when he saw the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to him, he said unto them, o generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come. They were arrogant, haughty, and self confident. They said, we have Abraham. Yes, they were his natural children, but they didn’t have his faith, the Pharisees, who supposed that their careful performance of some of the outward ceremonies of the law was a full compliance with its letter and spirit. Formality of worship and service had taken the place of heart worship.

And that’s a caution to us all, brethren, that we just don’t want to go through the motions. We want to make sure that we have the instructions impregnated in our heart and and understand the spirit of the law. As Reprint 5480 tells us, it would be better not to approach the Lord at all than to do so in an improper formalistic manner. Now let that soak in.

Jesus did blame them for hypocrisy in deceiving themselves and others with the claimed perfection and holiness which they as well as others could see, was merely a cleansing of the outside while their hearts were still impure and unconsecrated. He censured them for having a mere form of godliness and a lip service while their hearts were far from God. Jesus rebuked the religious leaders of his day for obsessing over minor details while ignoring justice, mercy, and faith. We find this account in Matthew 23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for you are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanliness even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. Referring again to Second Corinthians 3, 6, we notice that Paul is comparing the Jewish dispensation with the Gospel dispensation.

He shows that the law given to Israel, which was indeed ordained into life, that is, it guaranteed life to the obedient, but was found to be unto death, because Israel was totally unable to keep it. The only condition of the law was obey and he who fails in one point is guilty of all. If you can obey it perfectly, then you can have life. But though Israel with united voice said, all that the Lord has spoken, we will do doubtless greatly rejoicing in the prospect of everlasting life yet not one was able to keep it. Now why is this?

Because they had only the letter of the law engraved on the tables of stone, and not the Spirit of the law, which is love, written in their hearts. Therefore, as death had reigned from Adam to Moses, so it continued to reign. For all were unable, because of inherited weaknesses, to keep God’s perfect law, and so that glorious law, ordained or arranged to perpetuate life, was found to be the ministration of death.

But since the Son of God took our nature, being born under the law, fulfilling all its requirements, thus having a right to life, gave his life as a substitute or ransom for ours, and we are introduced into a new dispensation, as we are told in Romans chapter 6. Where sin shall have not, shall not have dominion over you, for ye are not under the law, but under grace. God’s requirement is not now due if you would live. But the good news now is there is now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit. As Romans 8:1 2 states that there is now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus had made me free from the law of sin and death, and then Romans 7 also speaks of the Israelites release from the law. When we were in the flesh, the motions of sins which were by the law did work in our members to bring forth unto death. But now we are delivered from the law, wherein we were held that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. Now when the apostles says that the righteousness of the law is fulfilled in us, he is not speaking of the Church as under that law covenant.

But he is saying that while the Jews could not keep that law because of the imperfections of their flesh, yet the Church keeps the law. For it does not apply to our flesh, but to our Spirit. Hence the ability to keep the law we as old creatures did not have, and we could not thus keep the law any more than they. But we as new creatures should be accounted as not only keeping that law, but as keeping the law of sacrifice.

Our Lord magnified that law and also gave us a new command. The love that would be in his followers, his disciples was shown in his words, Love one another as I have loved you. Now think of that. We’re to love one another just as Jesus loved us. That’s a tall bill to fulfill.

But that should be all of our goal. To do this would be far more than to do no injury to another. It would be laying down our lives for one another. This is far beyond any requirement of the law. Justice could not say I like this quote from Brother Russell.

You must go over and clean the snow from your neighbor’s pavement. But justice would say you must not throw any snow upon your neighbor’s payment. But love says more than this. The new law is given to us is the law of sacrifice. We who are in the body of Christ must love one another as Jesus loved us to the extent of sacrificing our interests, our comforts, our privileges in the interests of others, but the deeds of the law.

Rather by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight. For by the law is the knowledge of sin. So what the law really did is point out how fallen we are and how sinful we are. The nation of Israel tried a each year to demonstrate their loyalty to God and His righteousness by obedience to the law. But only failure could and did result the day of atonement sacrifices which preceded all the others and were a basis for the general forgiveness and acceptance with God of all Israel.

So once a year the Israelites would go before God in the day of atonement sacrifices to have that really relationship re established. Now we’ve spoken of the letter of the law, but what of the Spirit of the Law? Who God that is also hath made us able ministers of the New Testament not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life. In fact, the Spirit of the law, that is its underlying principle could be summarized with one word, love.

The letter of the law’s intent are principles. James terms this as the royal Law. If you fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Ye do well you’re no longer under the letter, but under the Spirit. The greater law of love.

No one will ever have full divine approval without the full establishment in the heart and character of this divine quality. Love expresses the full measure of the Law’s requirements. The Spirit of God’s Law, A loving spirit affects our health and strength, spiritual and physical. Our faces will show that we by faith grasp the promises and daily strive to live so far as possible to maintain our relationship with the Lord. Mahatma Gandhi said, where there is love, there is life.

Now I’d like to point out to you some of the effects that love has upon our mental health. Love acts as a protective shield against depression, anxiety and various other mental health challenges. When we feel loved, our self esteem is elevated. We adopt a more positive outlook on life and we find a deeper sense of purpose. On the other hand, the absence of love can lead to feelings of isolation, worthlessness and despair.

Consider the story of an elderly woman who, after losing her spouse of 50 years, fell into a deep depression. Her world had changed entirely and she struggled to find meaning in her daily life. However, as she began to reconnect with old friends and immerse herself in volunteering at a local community center, she slowly started to regain her sense of purpose. The love, care and support she received from these social connections reignited a sense of joy and fulfillment in her life, illustrating the critical role that maintaining loving relationships plays, particularly during life’s challenging moments. It reminds us that love is not just a luxury but a necessity for well being.

Here are some of the health benefits of relationships grounded in love now. This comes from the University of Texas Health at Austin and McKella Frizzle, licensed clinical social work, is the author.

Number one love increases life expectancy Research suggests that married people, as well as those with strong social relationships, tend to live longer now. These relationships can also lower the risk of heart attacks, certain types of cancer and infections like pneumonia. Love also helps maintain a healthy heart Emotional well being plays a significant role in heart health as supportive relationships help regulate stress hormones and reduce inflammation, two key factors in lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease. Love also helps lower blood pressure Happily married couples tend to have better blood pressure levels than those who are unhappily married or single.

So when you’re with the one you love, that light, fluttering feeling in your heart may actually be your blood pressure dropping, and love also helps decrease anxiety. MRI scans show that people in stable long term relationships exhibit greater activity in the brain’s reward and pleasure centers while showing less activation in areas linked to anxiety. It also eases stress. Supportive relationships provide a sense of security and stability, making it easier to manage stress.

Whether it’s a partner, close friend or family member. Having someone to share your worries with can significantly lessen the emotional and physical toll of stress. It helps combat depression. Love and strong social connections have been shown to reduce feelings of loneliness and depression, while increasing happiness and a sense of belonging. It helps boost the immune system Feeling loved and supported can strengthen the immune system, making you less likely to catch colds and other viral infections.

It also Love helps manage pain. Similar to its effect on anxiety, love can also activate brain regions associated with pain control. Studies show that happily married couples report fewer complaints of back pain and headaches. It also supports gut health 80% of your immune system and most of your body’s microbes are reside in your gut. The feeling of love can help nurture and support your gut microbiome, which plays a crucial role in digestion, immune function and overall well being.

And point 10 love being adequately loved helps improve your sleep. Since loving relationships help reduce stress, they also contribute to better sleep quality. Studies suggest that happily married couples are 10% more likely to experience restful sleep. So I think you can see from these examples why love is the greatest of all the commandments. It benefits physically, but of course more importantly spiritually.

There were those in Jesus day that were interesting following him, and one such account is recorded in Mark 10, an account of the rich young man which some think to have been Lazarus, whom Jesus later awakened from the dead. Good Teacher, he asks, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? And Jesus told him plainly, looking upon him, he loved him, and said unto him, one thing thou lackest go sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasures in heaven and come follow me. You have been endeavoring to keep God’s law, and have done well so far as the outward is concerned, but the Spirit of the law you have not apprehended at all, and the Spirit of the law is love.

The whole law is comprehended briefly in one word. Love is the fulfilling of the law. You’ve been getting the outsider shell of the Divine command, but have entirely overlooked the precious thing in it, the kernel or the essence of it. Love. Love to God supremely, and love towards your fellow man as towards yourself.

Let me prove this to you by suggesting that you demonstrate your love for your neighbors by disposing of your property for the assistance of the poorer ones. Then consecrate your life in loving devotion to God’s service, and come with me as my disciple, taking up the cross of self denial that would be involved. The test was a crucial one, and manifested clearly the distinction between the latter and the Spirit of the Law. The cross was too heavy for the rich young ruler. He had gotten the answer to his question, but oh, it was so different from what he had anticipated.

He had felt comparatively well satisfied with himself, and although realizing that something must still be lacking, he had rather expected Messiah’s commendation and perhaps some further advice, but nothing so radical. It was too much for him. He went away exceedingly sorryful, says, look, his countenance fell, says Mark. It was a sore disappointment. For the time being he could not think of accepting the Master’s prescription.

The dose was too bitter, and he must at least think the matter over well.

Jesus also instructed the Sumerian woman, whom rather when she came to the well for water, he gave her much more than physical water. He gave her a morsel of the water of life, and Jesus told her, God is a spirit, and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. But we shouldn’t dismiss the importance of the letter of the law when referring to the Spirit of the law, because no one can possess the Spirit of the truth without having considerable of the letter of the truth. Upon fundamental principles there are two ways to understand the meaning of the term Spirit.

The Spirit of the law in John 4:24 we learn that God is a spirit, and do we and then also 2nd Corinthians 3:1 3 do we begin again to commend ourselves, or need we, as some others epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you? Ye are our epistle written in our hearts known and read of all men, being manifest that ye are an epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink with the Spirit of the living God, not in tables of stone, but in tables that are parts of flesh, and the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters, that is to say, the power of God, his vehicle of energy function dated waters, or rendered them fruitful prolific. Similarly, holy men of old spoken wrote as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. The holy influence or power of God function dated their minds, causing them to bring forth thoughts such as God wished to have expressed.

Similarly, the skilled workman who Moses selected prepare the paraphernalia of the tabernacle were brought under the influence of the Divine power to the energizing or quickening of their natural faculties, without affecting them in any moral sense, even as the waters of the great deep were not affected in a moral sense grave not the Holy Spirit, we’re told in Ephesians 4:30, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Now as you enter into this real Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit, you are expanding your comprehension of the meaning of the prophecies and the revelations of the Lord, which are hidden to the worldly wise. As it is written, I hath not seen nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him but God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yea, the deep things of God. Only by the Holy Spirit are we guided beyond the mere letter of the divine testimony into a true appreciation of the deep things of God and all those Things which God hath in reservation for them that love him, which the human eye hath not seen, the human ear hath not heard, neither hath entered in to the human heart to understand and appreciate, as from the fifth volume, page 164.

Now I say, walk habitually in the Holy Spirit, seek him and be responsive to his guidance, and then you will certainly not carry out the desire of the sinful nature which responds impulsively without regard for God and his precepts. That was from the amplified as well. The influence of the Divine Word is a mental liberty and enlightenment, which, lacking the Divine control, the Holy Spirit is very apt to go to the extreme license of selfishness, self contained, self conceit and infidelity. Well, let us brethren, study the Divine Word and behold through it as a telescope the beauty of the Divine character, the splendor of the Divine plan as revealed in God’s word and plan, whose length and breadth, and height and depth no man can measure, and only the saints can can comprehend by the Holy Spirit.

And then in proportion as they receive of the Holy Spirit, the Holy Mind, the Holy thoughts replacing and displacing the holy thoughts and sentiments of the natural man. Now isn’t that a humbling thought to think that the Holy Spirit is actually the Holy Mind, God’s mind speaking to us?

The Holy Spirit comforts the Church in various ways. It comforts us by enabling us to come into such unity with the truth and with the Lord, that we can to a considerable extent see matters not only from the divine standpoint, but also can appreciate and feel from the same standpoint. For although the Spirit of the truth is in the word of truth, there is nevertheless a necessity that the eyes of our understanding should be opened that we may be enabled to comprehend the word of truth, and this double comfort is ours through the possession of the Holy Spirit, God’s mind, love and in proportion as it abounds and is shed abroad in our hearts, it abounds and is shed abroad in the Word. But this is not sufficient.

It must also be in our hearts a living power. Thus we read of the early Church that they were walking in the reverence of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, and since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Now this would include a continual reliance on the Holy Spirit to overcome the flesh. Once the Church has passed beyond the veil, the world of mankind will also be able to conform to the principles of God’s divine law.

They will enter into a covenant of consecration. Their consecration, however, will not be unto death, but unto life also. A manifestation of the fruits of the Spirit to include love, joy, peace, etc. The ceiling with the Holy Spirit will continue until the day of redemption and restored. Humanity will be made perfect and will be capable of obeying God’s law in both letter and spirit.

At this point they will have perfect minds with the ability now to have to rather fulfill both the letter and the Spirit. Now from the first volume, page 304, we read all mankind then perfectly restored, will be capable of rendering perfect obedience in letter as well as in spirit. While now the Spirit of obedience or endeavor to observe God’s law is all of which men are capable. The full letter of that perfect law would condemn them at once to death. Our acceptableness now is only through Christ’s ransom.

Mankind’s second trial will be more favorable than the first because of the experience gained and the results of the first trial. Unlike the first trial, the second trial will be one in which every man will stand the test for himself alone and not for another. Now will be true of the world then, as it is other church now that a man will not be adjudged according to that which he hath not, but according to that which he hath. If there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. Under the reign of Christ, mankind will be gradually educated, trained, and disciplined until they reach perfection.

First volume, page 144, and God had a right to demand perfect obedience of him, since he was created perfect, and he will demand the same of all men, when the great work of restoring them is complete. Back to perfection. None will be permitted to have everlasting life.

Who then in the slightest degree falls short of perfection? To fall short of perfection then, will be to sin willfully against full light and perfect ability. But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel after those days, says the Lord. I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.

By the close of the millennium, two classes will have been completely separated, those in harmony with the letter and Spirit of God’s law, and those out of harmony with it. Now, as shown in the parable as shown as shown rather in the parable of the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25, the faithful depicted in the sheep class enter into everlasting life, and the goats, the unfaithful, are remanded to death extinction. This will be the second death for them, the same sentence as in the first judgment from which they had been reckonedly released by Christ, who secured the right to release them by giving of their ransom by his death. This will be their second death. No ransom will be given for them, and there will be no release or resurrection for them, their sin being a willful individual sin against full light and opportunity.

Surely such a demonstration of justice as God manifested in giving His Son to be a ransom or corresponding price for all before that sin could be blotted out evidences of firmness and a justice on God’s part that is simply sublime. It should not be. It should not only be an assurance to us that those once justified from Adamic guilt have nothing further to fear therefrom, but should also assure us beyond question that all who are fully released from Adamic penalty and guilt when on trial individually would be dealt with in the same inflexibility just as the Adam was. If obedient life will be sure, if disobedient, death again, this time a second death, as surely as in Adam’s case, and the conditions would be the same in that justice could no more forgive the personal willful sins which invoked the second death than it did the Adamic sin which invoked the first step.

So now, in summary, let’s consider what we have learned or what may have actually been reinforced for us today. The letter of the Law refers to adhering to its instruction in every detail. No man, with exception of one, has ever met this requirement. The letter is the code, the outward command, the black and white statute. The Spirit of the Law refers to adhering to the underlying principles of the Letter of the Law.

The Spirit is the principle, the intent, the heart behind the command, the consecrated are guided through the Father’s Spirit, the Holy Spirit, the Holy Mind. The righteousness of the Law is fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit, and our Lord Jesus Christ was the only one who ever perfectly fulfilled both the Letter and the Spirit. Every jot, every tittle. We see then that the overarching Spirit of the Law is love.

The letter of the Law is unto death, whereas the Spirit of the Law is unto life. In the millennial age, restored humanity, perfected by Christ’s reign, will finally be able to obey God’s perfect law in both letter and spirit. True faith embraces the Spirit of the Law, its essence of love, justice and mercy, through the empowering grace of Christ, seeking not just to follow the rules, to be transformed into the image of the One who fulfilled them perfectly. I’d like to introduce you now to a poem that reflects how important love is. It is entitled Love of God, and it was written by Horatius at Bonar.

Love of God, O love of God. How strong and true, Eternal and yet ever new, Uncomprehended and unbought beyond all knowledge and all thought O heavenly love. How precious still in days of weariness and ill, in nights of pain and helplessness to heal, to comfort and to bless, oh wide, embracing wondrous love. We read thee in the sky above we read thee in the earth below and sees that swell and streams that flow we read thee best in him who came to bear for us the cross of shame Sent by the Father from on high Our life to live, our death to die, O love of God, our shield and stay through all the perils of our way Eternal love in thee we rest Forever safe, forever blessed. May we seek not merely to know the law, but but to love its author and to live out its spirit of love in every facet of our lives.

Like to close with the quote from reprint 2735, and you may recognize this because this is actually our weekly manna. We are therefore to have clearly before our minds the fact that the ultimate object of all the divine dealings for us and with us, and the ultimate significance of all the divine promises made to us, is the development of love, which is God likeness. For God is love, and to have this love developed in us in the sense and to the degree intended by the Lord, it is necessary that it shall come from a pure heart in full accord with the Lord and his law of love and holy antagonistic to the adversary and his law of selfishness.

Click Here for the PDF transcript.