The past couple of weeks James 1:25 and 2:12 has been the subject of conversation at Bible & Bagel Fellowship. It spilled over into my Wednesday group and also in a conversation with my wife and my sister. These verses talk about the "law of liberty". I'm still trying to wrap my mind around what that means.
The law of liberty is certainly not the law of the Old Testament. Christians are not bound to the ceremonial law. Jesus fulfilled it. I believe that is made clear in the book of Galatians. (Check out the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew to see how Jesus feels about the commandments.)
"So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good." (Rom 7:12).The law could not save us because of our sinful flesh. "Those who are in the flesh cannot please God." (Rom 8:8). Read Romans 7:13 through 8:17. Romans 7:14 says that the law is spiritual but we are of the flesh, sold under sin. Jesus took care of that (Rom. 8:1-4).
I believe the law of liberty is the gospel, the good news of forgiveness and freedom in Jesus. Romans 8:1-4 says, "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit."
The Spirit of Christ dwells in all believers. All who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. We did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear (the opposite of faith). We are adopted, we are sons and daughters, and we are free!
Galatians chapter five, verses 13 & 14 says, " For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." James 2:8 says, "If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing well." When Jesus was asked what was the greatest commandment in the Law he said, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. and the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets." 1 Corinthians 13 gives us a great definition of love.
We are now under the law of liberty. Free to love and serve God. Free to love and serve others. Free to share the gospel. Free to be merciful (James 2:13) What an awesome God we serve! God bless y'all real good.
2 comments:
This might not make a lot of sense and some might interpret this as heresy, but that never stopped me before. So here is something to consider in regards to the law of liberty. Aside from the fact that the two words law and liberty seem diametrically opposed and it is very strange to see them together. It is kind of like saying that something stinks nice. Or there is a pleasant war. Or whatever.
As I look at the passages that relate to this I get thinking that somehow God relates to us depending on which way we choose to live. This is NOT for salvation, that is not what James is talking about nor am I. But, If we choose liberty God will “judge” our daily lives and actions by “the law of liberty.” But the moment we become legalistic and critical He then brings the law to bear on us.
I don’t know how He does it nor exactly what that means but I think there is something to how we live and how it affects our lives when we choose death, “The Law” over life, “the law of liberty.”
So which do you want for yourself and which will you use in your life?
Rudy
This might not make a lot of sense and some might interpret this as heresy, but that never stopped me before. So here is something to consider in regards to the law of liberty. Aside from the fact that the two words law and liberty seem diametrically opposed and it is very strange to see them together. It is kind of like saying that something stinks nice. Or there is a pleasant war. Or whatever.
As I look at the passages that relate to this I get thinking that somehow God relates to us depending on which way we choose to live. This is NOT for salvation, that is not what James is talking about nor am I. But, If we choose liberty God will “judge” our daily lives and actions by “the law of liberty.” But the moment we become legalistic and critical He then brings the law to bear on us.
I don’t know how He does it nor exactly what that means but I think there is something to how we live and how it affects our lives when we choose death, “The Law” over life, “the law of liberty.”
So which do you want for yourself and which will you use in your life?
Rudy
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