James 2:12

"So speak and so act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom."

The first and most important rule in interpreting the Bible (or any written matter; any communication at all...) is context, context, context! What is James doing in this part of his letter?

James begins this section of his book on the sin of partiality (or favoritism) from the association of verse 1:25

"But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres,
being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing."

James is big on 'practicing what you preach'. Re-picking up there, James runs with it a short ways before he hands the ball off again on his next major theme (Lord willing tomorrow: 'faith w/o works is dead'). So, James very simply commands us 'so speak and so act...'. As a continuing part of living in this world you should speak and act consistently. Consistent with what? Consistent with the law that gives freedom.

So, is James talking about the OT Law? Not as such: for "the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith." (Gal 3:24) The Law was our tutor, our pedagogue (one who firmly directs his pupil in view of the time when he will come of age and no longer be under his guidance). That Law, as such, we are no longer subject to.

Instead, we have become slaves of righteousness:

"But thanks be to God , that you who were once slaves of sin

have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching

to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin,

have become slaves of righteousness." (Rom 6:17-18)

Christians are not 'free from the law' in the sense that it no longer has any influence on us; the Law leads us to grace for justification (being declared righteous by God); but grace leads us back to the Law for sanctification (being in the process of becoming more holy, more like Jesus).

Make no mistake: Christians are still required to know God's commands (1 John 3:24). And, Christians will be judged (2 Cor 5:10).

But this Law gives freedom rather than slavery because God has now given us the ability, the grace, the freedom, to obey. And when we are so saved; God then uses this law to shape our heart so that we are truly free (John 8:31-32)

Praise You God the Father, for You have given us the Law to show us our need of Grace; Praise You God the Son, for You have fulfilled the Law in our place so that Your righteousness could become our own; Praise You God the Spirit, for You empower us to live by the Law that gives us freedom in You.

What sins (sins of commission as well as of ommission) do you struggle with? Where in Scripture is that sin commanded against? What promises relate to that sin? When will you (by God's grace) choose to stop sinning in that way?

Declaring Freedom with you,
Pastor Greg