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James 1:25: The One Who Looks Into The Perfect Law, The Law Of Liberty


James 1:25
[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. (ESV)

We all love to be blessed. We will read books on how to increase God's blessing in our lives. We will say to each other, "Have a blessed day." James tells us one of the ways we can be blessed in what we do. The formula for this blessing is none other than spending time in the Word of God, which James describes as the "perfect law," and the "law of liberty."

James describes the one who looks into the perfect law. It is essential that we share James' attitude towards God's Word. The Bible is perfect. It is inerrant. It is without any flaw. It is to be the absolute authority in our lives. This concept of the Bible being described as "Law" is not referring to the dietary codes of the Old Testament, but rather a way of describing all of Scripture.

Not only is God's Law perfect, but it is a law of liberty. Now, this is a hard concept for us to grasp. We do not think of God's Law as being liberty, but rather restrictions. Certainly, the Old Testament told us of many things that we were not to do. If we properly understand that everything in God's Word is for our benefit we will see it as freeing. And because of what Christ has done in our hearts by defeating sin, we are now set free to follow his Law.

This blessing that comes from looking into God's perfect law of liberty is contingent upon one thing; our actions! The blessing is for the doer who acts, not the hearer who forgets. The old expression rings true here: "The road to hell is paved with good intentions." If you truly want God's blessing in your life you will read his word and put it into action in your daily life.

Are you a hearer who forgets or a doer who acts? The way that you answer that question will determine whether or not you can expect to be blessed in what you do.

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