2 Corinthians 3:6 - When the ADA isn't Christian

There is a common misconception that since the Ten Commandments are in the Old Testament, and Jesus taught a gospel of grace, we don't have to worry about following commandments any more. 

Jesus Himself said,
"17 Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. 19 So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven." (Matthew 5:17–19, New Living Translation, 2015)

These laws can be summarized as, "Love God. Love People." (Matthew 22:36-40)

Paul explains more:
"6 [God] has enabled us to be ministers of his new covenant. This is a covenant not of written laws, but of the Spirit. The old written covenant ends in death; but under the new covenant, the Spirit gives life." 2 Corinthians 3:6, NLT)

If someone is following the spirit of the law, they'll have no trouble following the letter of the law. But people forcing themselves (or others!) to follow the Law of Love without heartfelt motivation is a deadly combination. It's the letter of God's law without the Spirit of God.

The Americans with Disabilities Act was a formal law to fulfill the spirit of "love your (handicapped) neighbor as yourself."

Recently, we stayed in a hotel room with a large, ADA compliant, walk-in shower. It had grab rails all the way around, and a shower chair was provided as well. However, one had to squeeze through a 15" gap between a bed and the bathroom door to get to the shower. The hotel followed the letter of the law, but not the spirit of it.

Father, so fill us with the spirit of Your love that it becomes a joy to follow Your Law, to love You and to love our neighbor as ourselves. In Jesus' name, Amen.