James 2:12: So Speak And So Act As Those Who Are To Be Judged Under The Law Of Liberty

James 2:12
[12] So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. (ESV)

We don't like laws. Let's just be honest. There is something inside everyone of us that wants to buck the system. If the speed limit is 65 we want to go 66. If someone tells us that we cannot do something the first thing we want to do is the very thing that we are told not to do. This is not just a childhood condition. It is a lifelong ailment.

At the core of our heart is rebellion. Before we come to Christ rebellion is all that we know. When an unbeliever encounters God's Law he wants to go against it. Man, in his natural state, is not good. Man is naturally bound to sin and lawlessness. The Apostle John said, "Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness" (I John 3:4).

So, how should the believer in Jesus Christ act in regards to the Law? In our passage today James tells us to speak and to act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. At first glance that seems difficult. But we need to consider the fact that God's Law is given to provide the greatest freedom for us. The guidelines he gives are for our protection and given out of love. If we follow his Law we will be blessed.

We will still struggle with our rebellion. We will need to come to the Lord daily for his grace to enable us to walk in obedience to his law of liberty. The wonderful truth is that because of his Holy Spirit living within us we now have the ability to obey. In fact, we have the FREEDOM to obey. That was not possible before we were transformed by God's power. I will leave you with this wonderful passage from the Apostle Paul, written to Titus:

Titus 2:11–14
[11] For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, [12] training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, [13] waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, [14] who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. (ESV)