God forbade...must reading!

Spirit, Letter




 
   The letter of the law versus the spirit of the law is an idiomatic antithesis, that is an expression whose meaning is not predictable from the usual meanings, as kick the bucket or hang one's head and an opposition or contrast of them.



   To obey the letter of the law but not the spirit, is to obey the literal interpretation of the law, but not the intent of those who wrote the law. Conversely, to obey the spirit of the law but not the letter, one is doing what the authors of the law intended, though not a literal adhering.



   "Law" originally referred to legislative statute, but may refer to any kind of rule. Intentionally following the letter of the law but not the spirit may be accomplished through exploiting technicalities, loopholes, and ambiguous language. Following the letter of the law but not the spirit is also a tactic used by oppressive governments.



  Gaming the system, also known as 'rules lawyering' is the following of the letter- over, or contrary to- the spirit of the law. Negatively, it is manipulating the rules to achieve a personal advantage or acting in an antisocial, irritating manner while still in the bounds of the rules.



   A new covenant found in Jeremiah 31 is a theme built on an old theme, first, it will not be broken, but will last forever and not just written in stone, but written on our hearts. According to Luke and Saint Paul this prophesy was fulfilled only through the work of Jesus who did not come to destroy the old covenant, but to fulfill it. It was always about love. All the law can be summed up in this, to love God with all your heart, all your mind and all your heart, love your neighbor as yourself!





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