From the poster, Oberst....
"Groups like the Pharisees loved God's laws, or how they saw them for themselves. They were righteous in many respects, but it was their lack of love (mercy) for others which God hated.
I see this in the Friends and Workers church. There are many exceptions there, but the hierarchy is dominated by the "spirit of Judgement" not the "spirit of mercy." They love God's laws and commandments, to the point they are so absorbed with a need to be righteous that they are blind to the natural needs of others (even within their fellowship).
One big drawback they have is that many believe God is not interested in our natural welfare and only the spiritual side. This is nonsense with much to refute it in scripture.
God's Law and Grace, like even the best of man's laws, whilst are meant to be kept and enforced, were designed to be applied with mercy in appropriate cases. Those who stick to the letter of the law "killeth" as Paul informs us, but charity edifyeth."
