The simplest answer I can give is this: Read Galatians.
But if that is not enough to suffice, let me say this: I believe we are called to walk in the Spirit according to the law of love, which is the law of liberty, upon which the Law and prophets hang.
Scripture makes it abundantly clear that there is no righteousness in keeping the law of Moses. If we were still keeping the law of Moses the sacrifices would still be in order. Christ came to fulfill the Law because we never could, leaving us with one command: to love has He loved us. All the law and prophets hang upon His command to love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself. Paul echoed this in his writings to his churches in saying that love fulfills the law. John echoed the law of love prolifically. Christ left us with a new command: to love as He loved us. And that puts a whole new spin on the subject of love.
Let us understand that there are many believers in Christ throughout this world who have never read a bible. And the early church did not have access to writings either. They were dependent upon the Apostles teaching and the indwelling Holy Spirit. This is why Paul says to walk in the Spirit. This was not only demonstrated to the early church but stressed in the apostles teachings repeatedly.
Paul said the letter kills but the Spirit gives life. James said that if you break one law, you’re guilty of breaking them all. There is absolutely no righteousness in keeping the Law. The Law was our tutor until Christ came. We are called to walk in Spirit.
As believers we are very fortunate to have access to the Bible and all the Hebraic and Greek texts. And I dare say we’ve been spoiled by it. Some of the most faithful and powerful Christians are those who have never read the Book. And because of this they know Christ with an intimacy that would shame us. That kind of life forces them into fellowship with Him by the Spirit of God. They are perfect examples of those who walk in the Spirit. They’ve never read a jot or tittle of the Law. In contrast, they are completely reliant upon the Holy Spirit.
Paul made it clear that those who keep the Law will live by it, and be judged by it. I’d rather walk in the Spirit with love, which is the law of liberty. Christ died for all nations of men, and many of those nations live in areas that do not even have a written language. There is no literacy.
The point is this: Christ has made the Gospel so incredibly simple to receive for even the poorest and most remote soul. The Gospel of Christ does not require anything but faith in Jesus. I love that! That is the kind of Heavenly Father we have. And with that being said, we are accountable for the knowledge we have been given, which not everyone has been privileged to receive, nor is able to receive because of various cultural, geographical, and physical limitations.
Here is my question: Do we really know Jesus and are we walking in what we know? That is the more important question to answer, and I dare say that most literate Christians who are glutted with spiritual material, are not.
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