Matters of the Law

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You pay a tenth of mint, dill, and cumin, yet you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy, and faith. These things should have been done without neglecting the others. Blind guides! You strain out a gnat, yet gulp down a camel!”
(Matthew 23:23-24 Holman Christian Standard Bible ©®)

Jesus told the lawyers one day that 3 of the more important matters of the law, which they were neglecting, were justice, mercy and faith. Because their work was bringing bondage to the people they were leading, He had mercy on their victims and pronounced judgement on them. All three of these need to be under the influence of the Spirit of Jesus if they are to produce righteousness.

One of my earliest mentors used Scripture to beat people into compliance with his version of the law. He had much influence on me regarding discipline, but none regarding righteousness. He was directing me to look to rules for direction about how to live, instead of looking past the rules to the Ruler. Most of what he led me to experience was guilt. What my King wants me to experience is liberty. Not through lawlessness, but through learning to listen to His heart regarding justice, mercy and faith, and live under His influence.