What is more important to be kept? The letter or the spirit of the law? Which is more glorious, the letter or the spirit of the law? Which stand for eternity, the letter or the spirit of the law?

The answer to all these questions is the spirit of the law. Therefore, you sin when you show favoritism, even it doesn't mentioned in the letter, but it's against the spirit.

So, why should we kept a law that is less glorious? Keep the most glorious one in your heart, and you will have peace with God.

In His love

James, the spirit of the law is inherent in the letter of the law. In other words, the letter of the law does not exclude the spirit of the law. We are the ones who separate the spirit of the law from the letter of the law when we try to obey the law in our own unaided strength. The problem is with us - not with the law. Nor does the law overlook certain aspects of life and living. It encompasses everything we think, say, and do. Nothing is left out. The law is holy, just, and good. It is a transcript of God's character.

Paul said that he had kept the law perfectly, so was the rich young man, which mean, man can keep the law perfectly but loveless. Meanwhile, another man who is led by the Spirit, did show what love is through his deeds to God and his neighbors.

My question is: Is this man keeping the law?

In His love

James, we addressed this in the other thread, but here I would like to discuss something else. Do you think God views people like Saul (pre-converted Paul) in terms of perfectly obeying the law? Since sin is the transgression of the law, it would mean they are sinless, guiltless in the sight of God. Do you think God considered Saul sinless, guiltless? If not, why not?

Saul of Tarsus is a perfect law keeper but loveless. The good Samaritan has shown his love to his neighbor although not keeping the law.

Who do you think of both is a law keeper?

In His love

James,

The one who loves most is the one who keeps God's commandments. See the verses below.

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And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. Exodus 20:6
And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments. Deuteronomy 5:10

Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations; Deuteronomy 7:9

Therefore thou shalt love the LORD thy God, and keep his charge, and his statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments, alway. Deuteronomy 11:1

If ye love me, keep my commandments. John 14:15

He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. John 14:21

If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. John 15:10

By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. 1 John 5:2-3

And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it. 2 John 1:6
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Blessings,

Green Cochoa.

So, a Jew that has the law, did it perfectly, but in fact he is not a law keeper at all, for he is loveless.

On he other hand, here is this good Samaritan, an unbeliever and having no law, but did keep the law, for he has the love of God in his heart that could be seen from his deeds to his neighbors.

So, where are we, the Gentiles, Christ believers? Are we a law keeper like Saul or without law but indeed a law keeper like the good Samaritan?

In His love

Who says the Samaritan wasn't keeping the law? And who says that Saul was keeping the law? Paul later admits to being the "chief of sinners."

Blessings,

Green Cochoa.

The parable itself answers your question. Using people who has the law against some one who hasn't the law, some one who is not a Jew.

In His love

So, James, you believe that having the law is the same as keeping it? Furthermore, you believe the Samaritans did not have the law?

Blessings,

Green Cochoa.