The law says, but I say …

The law says, but I say … — ADULT CHRISTIANITY

by Fr. Richard Rohr

Paul says in Galatians 3 that the law will kill you, that the law leads to death, and only an experience of the Spirit has any saving power.  Jesus says much the same with his mantra, “The law says, but I say. . .” (Matthew 5:20-45).  This has had little effect on the church recently.

Many Christians and many clergy are still trapped under the law and remain in the first half of life, spiritually speaking.  This is not the gospel, but its most common counterfeit.  You always fail if you’re under the criteria of the law because you can never attain something that you already have—namely your daughterhood and sonship in God.  The law will send you on a wild goose chase that never ends and usually makes you more and more legalistic.  Religion at this level becomes an eternal carrot on a stick held out in front of you.  Unfortunately, we see this in many rigid and unhappy Christians.  Their disappointment with God and themselves is visible to all but themselves, I am afraid.  We can do so much better.  
 
Adapted from Adult Christianity and How to Get There CD

The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
– Romans 13:9</i>

I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary — the evil it does is permanent.
– Mahatma Gandhi

In many parts of the world the people are searching for a solution which would link the two basic values: peace and justice. The two are like bread and salt for mankind.
– Lech Walesa
from his Nobel Lecture

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