THE LAW THAT RULES AND FREES

THE LAW THAT RULES AND FREES
James 2:8-13
"For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it." (v.10)

CONTINUING ON THE THEME OF showing favouritism, James points out how serious a violation it is of God's law. The latter is described in two expressions: "the royal law" (v.8, only here in the New Testament), and "the law that gives freedom" (v.12).

The "royal law" is "Love your neighbour as yourself" (v.8; see also Lev 19.18; Matt 22.38). It is the law that governs all other laws on human behaviour: in that sense, it is the "king of all laws". It is also given by the King, God Himself. To offend it is to offend the King. It does not matter which part of the law we break; to break a part is to break the whole. Like a fully blown balloon, it does not matter where you prick it; the whole balloon will burst.

Perhaps, James has in mind readers who boast of perfection in the law, not realising that the insidious sin of favouritism means the violation of whole law. In a sense, partiality is no better or worse than the sin of adultery or murder. Each of them breaks the entire law. To keep the law is to keep it in all its parts; to please the Law-giver, to please Him at every point. We are thus compelled to strive for an all-rounded obedience to the Lord.

The law rules as king, but not as dictator, for it is a "law that gives freedom" (also James 1.25). It liberates us to enjoy life as it should be enjoyed. We may draw an analogy from the soccer game. We are understandably upset by rules that seem to interrupt the match at its most thrilling moments. A player picks the ball from a magnificent long-shot and is about to blast it into the goal when the referee blows his whistle for "off-side". What a spoil-sport, we protest.

Yet, if we remove all the rules, will we get a more exciting game? No, we will simply get chaos. As rules are essential to a soccer game, law is essential to life. It brings order to life, and true enjoyment within that order.

As long as we observe the law, we are safe. But what if we break it? The violation of the law cannot but bring judgement. Yet, "mercy triumphs over judgement!" (v.13). In the gospel, the last word is not the law, but grace. The law kills, but mercy saves. Thus, we cast ourselves upon the mercy of God when we break His law and offend Him. But mercy will be shown to us only if we ourselves have shown mercy.

Is there a point at which I am breaking God’s law?