Law that gives freedom
Day 661, Wednesday, June 3
James 1:19 – 2:13
Twice in today’s reading, James refers to “the law that gives freedom.” While this terminology differs from the way Paul used the terms (he often contrasts law/sin with grace/freedom), the underlying message is the same: God wills us to live lives of freedom. Paul sees Christ as fulfilling the law and thus ending its tyrany, while James seems to see Christ effectively reinterpreting and redefining the law to make it freeing rather than imprisoning.
In both cases, the old understanding of the law as a taskmaster that can never be satisfied is replaced with a new understanding that we find freedom in and through Christ.
In 1:25 we read, “But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—will be blessed in what they do. In 2:12-13 we read, “Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”
What law does James speak of?
In 2:8-9, James writes, “If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.”
While the emphasis here is on love and respect, James doesn’t dismiss the need to serve and to be righteous. “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
Wednesday meditation
Psalms 133:1-3
How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!
It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion.
For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.
Prayer focus
Lord, let us, your people, live together in unity.
-Rev. Mark Fleming