There is a temptation which comes from the devil as truly as there is a temptation that comes from God, and is good for man. The connection of thought with the previous passage is this. What is James 2:10 saying about the nature of sin? Under this impression I read, "Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. But all along St. James particularly refers to the precept, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. The mischief evidently is in themselves and not in the divine word. Temptations, trials (for clearly he refers to outward trials), are in no way the dreadful ogres that unbelief makes them to be. He who is loved is certain that he does not deserve to be loved; but he is also certain that he must spend his life trying to be worthy of that love. I mean, you see someone out there you know and in distress. Jesus said, "Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy" ( Matthew 5:7). The Christian has to put off the old nature and all its deeds ( Colossians 3:9). [Note: Blue, p. They were not to reckon trial a grievance. That is to say, "If you pay special honour to the rich, you are torn between the standards of the world and the standards of God and you can't make up your mind which you are going to apply." (i) The Christian lives under the law of liberty, and it is by the law of liberty he will be judged. Jas 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive She had sheltered the spies sent to spy out the Promised Land ( Joshua 2:1-21). The word James uses for called (epikaleisthai, G1941) is the word used for a wife taking her husband's name in marriage or for a child being called after his father. at all cost, and this entirely apart from us. If we try to live by it, we're gonna fail. the very fact of its being common proves where people are, how little they have to do with God, how much in common with the world. Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?" It may be the name of Christ, which was pronounced over a Christian on the day of his baptism. He talked and put his law into the minds and hearts of his disciples. If we cross reference this back to James 1:25 then obviously James is speaking of the same Law: But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it--not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it--they will be blessed in what they do. The royal law is the law of liberty because it frees rather than oppresses: The author makes two noticeable switches in his discussion: from the law to judgment, saying that we ourselves will be judged by the law of liberty, and from love to mercy: What these words say to me is that we will be judged by the love that we keep. rev2023.6.29.43520. can that kind of faith save him?" Paul teaches that salvation is through faith, faith alone. "God," said Abraham Lincoln, "must love the common people because he made so many of them." By clicking Post Your Answer, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct. 1 Cor 8:9-12 (NASB) What is the royal law? "This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and if they have not enough for their daily food, and if one of you says to them, "Go in peace! It is evident that it cannot. Judge not, lest you be judged. 2:12-13 So speak and so act as those who are going to be judged under the law of liberty. For sin is lawlessness; so therefore, Lawlessness is bondage. Believing that God would if necessary raise Isaac from the dead to keep His promise. This is further illustrated by putting a case different from that before mentioned (James 2:11; James 2:11): For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. It is not that there is the very smallest contradiction between the two. "For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: but the tongue can no man tame." We shouldn't be a respecter of persons. But make sure you have a true faith. Interested in joining the Ligonier team? It is not a connection that we could have anticipated, but it is just such an one as would be discerned by the Holy Ghost ever sensitive to the Lord's glory; and so in fact it is as we may feel on reflection. Respect of persons is the New Testament phrase for undue and unfair partiality; it means pandering to someone, because he is rich or influential or popular. One sees thoroughly, in the midst of the utmost difference otherwise, how it is the same divine mind a mind above the contractedness of man. In these weighty words James reminds his readers that they are on their way to a dread tribunal where they shall be judged according to their works, and where with what measure they mete it . He chooses a vivid illustration of what he means. thy soul, and with all thy mind. Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible. Colossians 1:28, Warning every man, and teaching every man. The thinker is only half a man unless he turns his thoughts into deeds. A Jew would have been likely to have thought of it thus; for he naturally turned to the law as the one and only standard. A great answer. Well, do your actions correspond? What you did you may not have known was wrong. "Is it a time," said the indignant prophet, to his covetous and deceitful attendant, "to receive money, and to receive garments, and olive-yards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and men-servants, and maid-servants?" no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment. Then we are shown two kinds of wisdom, just as with regard to temptations there were two sorts of them one blessed from God, and a real glory to the man that endures; and the other a shame, because it springs from his own fallen nature. The one is well-dressed and his fingers are covered with gold rings. Thou shall not kill. The Law covenant with mediator Moses was terminated at Pentecost 33 C.E. As you know, the phrase "law of liberty" is found in James 1:25 2:12. let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord." Nor does James spare the gross inconsistency too often experienced. For He is ever above us and infinitely wise. Unless Abraham had had faith he would never have answered the summons of God. For he who acts without mercy will have judgment without mercy. There is belief which is purely intellectual. this "New" commandment spelled out what that love for each other should look like (ie: as I have loved you). At this precisely is the epistle levelled, namely, the severing faith from practice. Ropes quotes a typical passage from the Ethiopia Statutes of the Apostles: "If any other man or woman enters in fine clothes, either a man of the district or from other districts, being brethren, thou, presbyter, while thou speakest the word which is concerning God, or while thou hearest or readest, thou shalt not respect persons, nor leave thy ministering to command places for them, but remain quiet, for the brethren shall receive them, and if they have no place for them, the lover of brothers and sisters, will rise, and leave a place for them And if a poor man or woman of the district or of other districts should come in and there is no place for them, thou, presbyter, make place for such with all thy heart, even if thou wilt sit on the ground, that there should not be the respecting of the person of man but of God." 12So speak ye. 5:11, NASB - 7 You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth? What does "healed" refer to in James 5:16? In this the theologian and the sceptic come to the same conclusion, and from the same source a lack of seeing and appreciating Jesus. "Submit yourselves therefore to God. His tendency would be to reduce it merely to a number of thoughts, and thus an outward system. 25 But one who has looked intently at the perfect law, the law of In no wise does scripture slight that solemn obligation. Do not rich men oppress you, draw you before the courts? 2:8-11 If you perfectly keep the royal law, as the Scripture has it: "You must love your neighbour as yourself," you do well. There is another kind of belief. There is not a man of exercised soul in this building, or any other, who has not proved the truth of what I am now saying. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe and tremble." The first, He said, was=> "YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH" (Mk 12:30). 14 Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. And, as James says, we are transgressors of YHWHs law if we do not obey these commandments. Notably Paul spoke about two different laws: Romans 8:2, NASB - For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. There is thus the need of dependence on God, the spirit of habitual waiting on Him of bowing to Him, and, in short, of obedience. You don't love your neighbour, or you would not neglect the poor man. If you keep God's Law you have liberty from sin. Rahab was a famous figure in Jewish legend. While we cannot be sure of why this was the case, perhaps the original audience was hoping that their honor of wealthy believers would persuade these rich people to help bring an end to their persecution. Do not regard the rich and despise the poor brothers; however, Abraham displayed both faith and actions; Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, NT Letters: James 2:12 So speak and so do as men (Ja Jas. Ro 7:7 What shall we say then? What does it say? In the next place he proceeds to show too how this works practically: "Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: but the rich in that he is made low:" such are the ways of God "because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away." James 2:8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: James 1:25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. For we are his workmanship" ( Ephesians 2:8-10 ). The main object of that epistle was to consummate the breach of the old relationships of such Christians as were Jews in times past, and to lead them out definitively from all earthly connection into their heavenly association with Christ. Your gold and silver are cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Whatever people may say or think about it, there is no denying this. "Judge not that you be not judged, for with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged" ( Matthew 7:1-2). What Paul held was the second kind of belief For him to believe in Jesus meant to take that belief into every section of life and to live by it. To say that Revelation (or at least the above two passages) is written expressly to unbelieving Jews is to say that if one wanted to petition for the city to repave the roads in your town that one should give said petition to a homeless man instead of the mayor. On the other hand, to "a servant of God" he adds, "and of the Lord Jesus Christ." 11 For He who said, Do not commit adultery, also said, Do not commit murder. Now if you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. Where this has not been taken into account, there need be no surprise that men have misunderstood the epistle of James. Are they the persons called to weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon them? But ye have despised them." Those who are in Christ will be accepted into Gods presence because of His perfect conformity to the Law. with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. Very helpful answer!! 5:12, NASB - I wish that those who are troubling you would even mutilate themselves. 22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. Even under human justice a man becomes a criminal when he has broken one law. Paul starts with the great basic fact of the forgiveness of God which no man can earn or deserve; James starts with the professing Christian and insists that a man must prove his Christianity by his deeds. James referred to it as "the perfect law the law of freedom" or "the law of liberty" ( James 1:25, 2:12 Rom. But we have to take care that we are guided of God in this, which is important in the present day when we know that the spirit of the age is endeavouring to blot out God in all that touches man here below. The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making wise the simple. In short, holy scripture does not sanction such a combination, and the sooner we get rid of phrases, which deserve no better name than religious cant, the better for all parties. 10 For if someone sees you, who have knowledge, dining in an idols temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be strengthened to eat things sacrificed to idols? What does "purify your hearts" in James 4:8 mean? View our current career opportunities. Blessing now is not in ease and honour, but, contrariwise, counting joy in trial, accepting what is painful from God, certain that He never mistakes, and that all is ordered of Him for the perfect blessing of His own people. You'd say, "Ah, you don't really believe there's a bomb here." For, if a man keeps the whole law and yet fails to keep it in one point, he becomes guilty of transgressing the law as a whole. Both speak of our souls being saved/converted. At the same time we must read it as it is, or rather as God wrote it; and God has addressed it, beyond controversy, not merely to Christian Jews, nor even to Jews, but to the twelve tribes that were scattered abroad. Five Views on Law and Gospel by Stanley Gundry. 17 Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him. Perhaps the law of liberty means to use their liberty in a lawful manner with love? 2. We can see the need, value, and wisdom of what has been said, but we may find here the occasion of it: with Israel there was peculiar danger of taking up the doctrines of Christianity as a system. let him pray. Farewell. 30 So when they were sent away, they went down to Antioch; and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. 14 and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. 17 and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. "For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass." * Why? A man could add up the ones he kept and subtract the ones he broke and so emerge with a credit or a debit balance. Keep the royal law; Love your neighbor as yourself; hard to do, isn't it? This will be, as far as government is concerned, in the millennium; but, being only government, evil will remain to be controlled and kept down to His own glory. One is the source of all that is good, and the other the guard against all that is evil. 3:28; 5:6; Romans 3:29; 1 Cor. There is, first, the "visiting the fatherless and widows in their affliction," persons from whom one could gather nothing flattering to the flesh, or in any way calculated to minister to self; there is, on the other hand, the keeping one's self unspotted from the world.