Lent 2018 Devotional: Day Twenty-Nine

"Not that we are competent of ourselves to claim anything as coming from us; our competence is from God, who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of letter but of spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life." --2 Corinthians 3:5-6

When we follow the "letter of the law" as opposed to its spirit, people can get hurt. Think of all the ways those in power use legal loopholes to avoid having to live out what the purpose of the law ought to be: ensuring that all are treated fairly and wrongs are righted. When Jesus came, he was not interested in legalism. He violated norms and customs by eating with those he was not supposed to, healing those considered unworthy, and inviting all to follow a challenging way of greater love. Those who loved the letter of the law hated this. It meant they could not stand behind statutes to make themselves appear superior--to create space between themselves and those considered less worthy. Jesus showed us (and continues to show us) that the law of love, empowered by the Spirit, breaks down all those lines.

How are you holding on to rigidity that keeps you from living into greater love? What change is the Holy Spirit seeking to make in your heart to make it flesh, not stone?

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