1. “The Perfect Law of Liberty”
James 1:21-25

2. James 1:21-25
22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 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: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 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
The Perfect Law Of Liberty

3. Introduction James states that Christians are subject to a law
Vs. 25
Some contend we are not under law but under grace
A gross misunderstanding and misapplication of various scriptures
John 1:17; Romans 6:14-15
Sin and law are forever connected
“Sin is the transgression of the Law” - 1 John 3:4
1 John 5:16, 17
If we are not under law, there can be no sin, therefore there is no need of grace
The Perfect Law Of Liberty
Jas. 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.
Jn. 1:17 - For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
Jn. 8:32 - And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Tit. 2: For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, {hath...: or, to all men, hath appeared} 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
Rom. 6: For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. 15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
1 Jn. 3:4 - Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
1 Jn. 5: If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. 17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.

4. 2006 ACU Annual Lectureship Report
“One taught, ‘we are hypocrites when we look down our noses at the denominations, they are Christians…all come to Christ through the cross’…They taught ‘we are NOT saved because we are right, BUT because Jesus was right. It is just the PERSON, not the doctrine’ …They constantly said ‘we are saved by GRACE, not by being united in doctrine,’ making fun of unity in doctrine and practice.”
Comments by brother David D. Bonner in his article entitled, “ACU Lecturship-2006,” Gospel Truths, April 2006, p.1.

5. “the perfect law of liberty” is
Divinely Identified
It is “His own will” the “word of truth” - vs. 18
It is “the word” - vss. 22, 23
The word of apostolic preaching
Romans 10:8; 1 Peter 1:23-25
It is “the law of Christ”
Galatians 6:2; 1 Corinthians 9:21
It is NOT the “law of Moses” - Galatians 5:1-4
“the perfect law of liberty” is
The Perfect Law Of Liberty
James 1:18 - Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
James 1: But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 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:
Rom. 10:8 - But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
1 Pet. 1: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: {For: or, For that} 25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you
Gal. 6: Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. {if: or, although} 2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
1 Cor. 9:21 - To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
Gal. 5:1-4 - Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. 2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. 3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

6. “the perfect law of liberty” is
Divinely Described
It Is “the perfect law”
Complete & all sufficient
2 Peter 1:3; Jude 3; Galatians 1:6-9; Rev. 22:18; 2 John 9-11
It Needs No Improvement
On Quality, Content or Provisions
It Is “the perfect law of liberty”
It provides freedom from the law of Moses
Galatians 5:1-4
It frees one from sin
The Law of Moses only identified sin
Frees of FROM sin not TO sin - Romans 6:1, 2
We Have Freedom To Serve Righteousness
Romans 6:17, 18
“the perfect law of liberty” is
The Perfect Law Of Liberty
2 Pet. 1:3 - According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
Jude 3 - Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
Gal. 1: I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
Rev. 22:18 - For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
2 Jn Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
Gal. 5: Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. 2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. 3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
Rom. 6: What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
Rom. 6: But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. {which...: Gr. whereto ye were delivered} 18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

7. Individually Applied by…
Laying Aside All Filthiness - vs. 21
Receiving It With Meekness - vss. 21, 25
Must hear it and look into it
Not Forgetting To Do It - vss
Continuing In It - vs. 25
“the perfect law of liberty” is
The Perfect Law Of Liberty
Jas. 1:21 - Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
Jas. 1:21, 25 - Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. 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.
Jas. 1: But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 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: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 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.

8. “the perfect law of liberty” is
Powerful When Applied
When It Is Applied, It… - vs. 18
Begets - KJV
Brings forth - NJKV, ASV, RSV
Gives birth - NIV
It Changes Man By The Word Which Is..
“Implanted” or “ingrafted” - vs. 21
Corinthians were “begotten” through the Gospel
1 Corinthians 4:15; Acts 18:8
By being “born again” - 1 Peter 1:23, 25
It Saves Our Soul - vs. 21
Reveals Our True Spiritual Condition - vs
It is the mirror of the soul - reveals the spiritual flaws
“the perfect law of liberty” is
The Perfect Law Of Liberty
Jas. 1:18 - Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures
“Begat” - pokueo, ap-ok-oo-eh’-o, to breed forth, i.e. (by transference) to generate (figuratively):--beget, produce. - Strong
Vine - "to give birth to, to bring forth" (from kueo, "to be pregnant"), is used metaphorically of spiritual birth by means of the Word of God, James 1:18…”
Jas. 1:21 - Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
1 Cor. 4:15 - For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
Acts 18:8 - And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.
1 Pet. 1: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: 25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
Jas. 1:21 - Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
Jas. 1: 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: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 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.

9. Will You Receive It? Will You Obey It? Will You Continue In It?
Divinely Identified Divinely Described Individually Applied Powerful When Applied
“the perfect law of liberty” is
Will You Receive It? Will You Obey It? Will You Continue In It?
The Perfect Law Of Liberty

10. “What Must We Do…?” Acts 2:38
An alien sinner must…
Hear the Gospel - Romans 10:17
Believe - Romans 10:10
Repent – Acts 17:30
Confess Christ - Acts 8:37
Be Baptized in water - Acts 2:38
An erring Child of God must…
Repent and Pray - Acts 8:22
Live “faithful unto death” - Revelation 2:10
The Perfect Law Of Liberty
Rom. 10:17 - So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Rom. 10:10 - For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Acts. 17: And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
Acts - 8:37 - And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
Acts. 2:38 - Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 8:22 - Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
Rev. 2:10 - Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.