Spirit of the Law

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘If your virtue goes no deeper than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.
Mt.5:20

Jesus warns that keeping the letter of the law, like the scribes and Pharisees, is not only insufficient to enter the kingdom of heaven but is also a barrier.

Scrupulous adherence to the letter of the Law shows an absence of the spirit of the law. The letter of the law is very tempting. It is crisp, black and white, easy to administer. The spirit of the law inevitably calls upon mercy, and mercy is messy. I'm left with a sneaking suspicion that someone is getting away with something, which invariably they are... thanks be to God. 

According to the letter of the law I'm a dead man. By the spirit of the law I have been set free and joy and hope have returned. 

Jesus, give me a heart noble and generous enough to live by the spirit of the law with my brothers and sisters. I place my trust in you.