If we try to judge what is right or wrong by the law alone instead of motive, we often error.
In being wrong or right; it is not what we say or do, but the spirit in which we said it that causes our friends to easily overlook or judge us.
Our western legal laws are also based on this understanding. Often the crime is not sufficient, it is the motive that decides innocence or guilt. As seen in many television detective shows which quickly reveal who committed the crime and focus on finding or proving the motive behind it.
The Spirit of the Law has authority over the letter of the law. [James 2:13]
To illustrate; we may illegally jay walk to save a child and receive appreciation even though we broke the law. Or we may legally extort money and still be judged for it even though it was done lawfully.
Our Heavenly Father uses the same guide lines in His mercy and judgments.
All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit. Proverbs 16:2
Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, in whose spirit there is no deceit. Psalm 32:2
This is why David did not need to repent for eating sacrificial food even though it was unlawful.
Lawfully right or wrong, it is the spirit in which we did it, or said it that justifies or condemns us. To our friends, our family, our boss, our courts and our Heavenly Father.
Our Father's Spirit which He gives us is love, kindness, peace, patience, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, mercy, respect, joy, consideration, self-control and more. Galatians 5:23 "Against such there is no law." No one objects to being the recipient of these. Having these desires we find freedom to do what we want.
His Spirit also provides us a key to understanding these verses.
Titus 1:15 To the pure, all things are pure.
Colossians 2:20-23 Why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining indulgence.
https://steemit.com/@revealing
Gavel Image Credit: clker.com