908--Not of letters, but of spirit,

Not of letters, but of spirit,

908

	1.	Not of letters, but of spirit,
		The New Testament way;
		For 'tis life the spirit giveth,
		But the letters always slay.
		Outward work God never reckons,
		But what's from the inmost part;
		It is not to serve in letter,
		But life's newness to impart.
	2.	Not just by the outward teachings,
		But by His anointing moved;
		Not just by the outward pattern,
		But by inward vision proved.
		Not by human rules or rituals,
		But by heaven's rule within;
		Not by human-made decisions,
		But by guidance giv'n of Him.
	3.	Not a dead religion serving,
		But in Christ as life to live;
		Not theology dispensing,
		But a living Christ to give.
		Not the knowledge of mere doctrine,
		But the message Christ should be;
		Not the gifts, the forms, the teachings,
		But God's Christ-reality.
	4.	Not objectively to worship,
		But to serve Him inwardly;
		Not to preach a Christ objective,
		But Himself subjectively.
		Not just by the Scripture serving,
		But in spirit and in life;
		Not by flesh, but by the Spirit
		Filling, freeing from all strife.