"Zacharias and Elizabeth were godly folk, careful to obey all of God's laws in spirit as well as in letter." Luke 1:6

To obey "in spirit" means that what was obeyed came from the heart of love and reverence for God, not just some habitual practice with no meaning or passion behind it. Out of love for God and faith in Him, "godly folk" don't find it hard to follow the "letter" of the law, "as it is written," because the law is no longer restricting, it is now life-giving guidance and direction, correction and reproof. The Law has now become a tutor, preparing us for Kingdom life, welcomed and adhered to. Traditionally, a young heir had to have a tutor until his father determined he was ready to handle the affairs of the family. An heir then was little better than a slave. But Christ's coming changed that. Because what the Law could not accomplish in maturing the son, the Father completed by His Spirit--the Spirit of Christ infused in us, His children and heirs. The Law is now "written on their hearts" (Jeremiah 31:33). Think about it.

That is the question! Jesus became sin that all mankind might be saved. That is a gift. But beyond salvation we have another choice. Do we want to be a follower of Jesus Christ? Do we want to be as He is? He denied Himself and became a servant, humble and obedient to God. He laid down His life so that you and I could be saved. Do you want to be His follower? He gave up the worldly gains so that the souls of people would have access to the riches of heaven. He brought a message of freedom and reconciliation to people alienated from God and trapped in unbelief and sin. He was not ashamed to speak the words of His Heavenly Father and do the deeds His Father would have Him do. Do you want to be His follower? He was tempted in every way but chose to keep Himself focused on God and living for God. Do you want to be His follower? Think about it.

"You are thinking merely from a human point of view, and not from God's." Matthew 16:23

There are two points of view on earth, God's and the human's. Satan tempts us only to look from the human point of view. That's how he got to Eve with his deception. That's how Adam got caught up by his wife's offer. That's why Peter could deny his Lord three times. Even Jesus, the God-Man, was tempted by Satan to only look from the human point of view. "Next Satan took Him (Jesus) to the peak of a very high mountain and showed Him the nations of the world and all their glory. 'I'll give it all to you,' he said, 'if you will only kneel and worship me.'" (Matthew 4:8,9) But Jesus knew there was a greater kingdom, very unlike this perishing world--the Kingdom of God. Jesus responded from God's point of view, "Get out of here, Satan. The Scriptures say, 'Worship only the Lord God. Obey only Him.'" Though Jesus was tempted, like the rest of us humans, He chose to see things from God's point of view and so though, "tempted in all things, yet He knew no sin." (Hebrews 4:15) He didn't "miss the mark," He fulfilled the will of God and we received the blessing from Him, even salvation and forgiveness of our sins. Jesus told his disciples that they would need another "Helper" to help them see from God's point of view. So, He sent His Holy Spirit who would "guide them into all truth" and "tell them of the things to come." The disciples would need to be in prayer continually and obedient to their Guide and Teacher. It is by the prayer of faith one enters the school of Christ. Obedience helps the saint excel in learning and graduate with honors. Unless we see from God's point of view, we will be ensnared by Satan, captivated by the lusts of the flesh and enslaved to Sin; set up to suffer condemnation and the second death. Think about it.