Spirit or Letter?

Romans 7:6 - But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

Have you ever heard the question, “Are you more of a spirit-of-the-law or letter-of-the-law type of person?” I remember this question from a job interview I had a few years ago where, for a few moments, I was somewhat at a loss. While I am generally more of a letter of the law type of person in my job, I understand that this can be taken too far and might be debilitating for getting a job done.

I was reminded of this question recently when our family was preparing to leave for church but was running late. My son, who just received his driver’s license, had been taking us to church in recent weeks for driving practice. “We better let Dad drive this time…” was the suggestion I heard from the family. Why? Because Dad will get us there quicker! While my son sticks very close to every posted speed limit sign, you could say that I drive by the “spirit of the speed limit”, being safe (at least according to me), but not paying as much attention to what is on the speedometer. I would even argue that I have never received a ticket!

This exchange within the family got us thinking about what the right approach is for the Christian. Should we obey the letter of the speed limit? What about the ones that look unreasonable? What would happen if someone I was witnessing to saw me pulled over for speeding? Does that hurt the testimony of the Lord? What other areas might this apply to?

We know from Scripture that the Pharisees were the ultimate “letter-of-the-law” people. They believed that their righteousness was accomplished by obeying the law’s letter. They completely missed what the heart attitude (i.e., the spirit) should be and were rebuked and reminded of this on multiple occasions by the Lord Jesus Christ. Specifically, we see this mindset in the Apostle Paul before his miraculous conversion.

Philippians 3:6 - Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

Thus, at least in terms of the laws in Scripture, the letter is not everything. The spirit is important. Why is the law there? What does it represent? The spirit of the law helps drive the heart attitude.

So, what do we do with the letter? Do we toss it out? Did Christ fulfill the letter of the law or just the spirit? What does the Scripture say?

Matthew 5:17–18 - Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

Clearly, Christ fulfilled both the Spirit and Letter of the law perfectly and that should be our model.

Let’s return to the speed limit example. I know this is distinct from God’s laws and the teaching that today’s Christians live under the law of Christ (e.g. Galatians 6:2). There is no road-rule section of Scripture. However, in fulfilling what Scripture says about obeying those that have the rule over us (e.g. Romans 13, 1 Peter 2) a careful eye on both the spirit and the letter will help us maintain a faithful testimony for Christ both in our hearts and toward the world around us.