Faith and the Royal Law “Real Life” [James] Series [12] James 2:8-13

TWO MARKS OF REAL FAITH IN LORD JESUS (2:1-13) My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. (v.1) [RECAP] Mark #1: Real faith transforms our value system.  Therefore, we must NOT show partiality to anyone on the basis of externals—e.g., one’s wealth/possession (vs.2-7). [TODAY] Mark #2: Real faith keeps the royal law. (vs.8-13)  This is the royal law of King Jesus; it is the law of Christ’s Kingdom—the “supreme law” that sums up all other laws (Leviticus 19:18).

WHY SHOULD WE KEEP THE ROYAL LAW? 1) The royal law [Love] is the fulfilling of the whole law. If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing well. (v.8)  If you keep the royal law—“you are doing well”—i.e., your faith is working and it is real. 8 Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet," and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. Romans 13:8-10

WHY SHOULD WE KEEP THE ROYAL LAW? 1) The royal law [Love] is the fulfilling of the whole law. If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing well. (v.8)  But if you show partiality, you violate the royal law—and it takes only one sin to become a transgressor of the whole law. "9But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. 11For he who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder." If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. (vs. 9-11)

“You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor.” Leviticus 19:15

WHY SHOULD WE KEEP THE ROYAL LAW? 2) The royal law liberates us from self-centeredness. So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. (v.12)  The focus of the royal law is directly opposite of our natural tendency of “self-centeredness”.  As we keep the royal law, the “other-centeredness” of love pulls us out from being preoccupied with self.  When we are free from self-centeredness, we experience freedom gradually more from sin. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. Matthew 10:40

WHY SHOULD WE KEEP THE ROYAL LAW? 3) We will be judged under the royal law. So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. (v.12)  There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ (Rom 8:1) but believers will be judged by the royal law.  This means that the validity of our faith will be judged and tested by our obedience to the royal law (i.e., according to works of faith vs. works of the Law).  Loving others is the key mark of those who belong to God who is love.

WHY SHOULD WE KEEP THE ROYAL LAW? 4) Keeping the royal law will lead us to God’s mercy at the judgment day. For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. (v.13)  God’s judgment will be without mercy to those who has shown no mercy.  But, God’s mercy will be shown to those who has shown mercy to others.  It does NOT mean that we earn God’s mercy, but showing mercy to others is the proof of real saving faith that received God’s grace.  Mercy triumphs over judgment [= either showing our mercy to others or God’s mercy on us triumphs over judgment].

True Freedom God made me for loving, but loving is self-giving. In order to be myself, I have to deny myself and give myself to others in love. In order to be free, I have to serve. In order to live, I have to die to my own self-centeredness... True freedom is the exact opposite to what many people think it is. Most people think freedom is freedom from responsibility to God and others in order that I may live for myself and be free. That isn't freedom. That's bondage to my own self-centeredness. True freedom is to be set free from my silly little self in order to give myself in love to God and to my fellow human beings. - John R. W. Stott

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS FOR OUR EVERYDAY LIFE 1.Shift from SELF-CENTEREDNESS TO OTHER-CENTEREDNESS by committing to keep the royal law.  Commit to loving people around you as yourself.  Commit to seeking “other-centeredness” as a way of life. 2.Show mercy to others AS THE MARK OF REAL FAITH in you.  Show mercy to others by forgiving their offenses to you.  Show mercy to the poor, the hurting, and the defenseless.