ROM. vii. 6. “That we should serve in newness of spirit, and
not in the oldness of the letter.”

WHAT is really gained by this change from the oldness of
the letter to the newness of the spirit?
I. The area of the service is widened.
The law, because it is a letter, limits it within the circle
of legislation; the spirit moves it to the utmost circumfer-
ence of opportunity.
II. The newness of spirit changes the motive of the
service.
It is now done from love, not fear.
III. The newness of the spirit increases the excellence
of the service. The loftier the motive is the nobler the
deed. What we hold ourselves to by an effort of will is
never the most excellent work. Only when we put our
hearts into our work is it of the best.
W. M. Taylor, D.D.