The Law Of Liberty

Pride and I have a long history. We go way back.

It’s painful and embarrassing to remember all of the ways in which I have operated in my own pride. Justifying my own sin, making up my own righteous rules for myself and others.

The most gracious thing God has done is showing me how I couldn’t even live up to my own righteous standards, let alone His. The refining process is painful but healing.

You might be cringing reading this. It’s uncomfortable to address, no doubt. However, as I continue to grow in Christ I have been repeatedly reminded of how important our stories are in displaying the gospel. Not because I am of any special importance in a world where 7 billion people have their own life story and billions more lived before that, many doing it more beautifully than I. The importance comes from the transforming power of the gospel. From a human wandering in their own made up righteousness, to recognizing the righteousness of God. From justifying our own actions, to justification in Christ. From living in denial about how painfully short we fall from goodness, to living in truth that allows us to rest well in grace and extend it to others.

As I read through the book of James I am struck by the powerful points this epistle makes. It’s one that reminds us that our faith must be accompanied by works. Does this mean we can earn our salvation? By no means. However, it reminds us that faith must produce fruit. We abide by the “law of liberty”(James 1:25)! Christ perfected the law. The law of liberty that states we are freed from bondage to sin and now we may be loyal servants to the one who saved us. We know that when we stumble, the law of liberty means that we are forgiven and justified in Christ(1 John 1:5-2:6) and we can go on to try again.

The law of liberty leaves no room for our pride. As a matter of fact, our pride(arrogance/self-righteousness) stems from our direct rejection of His righteousness and grace and replaces it with our “off brand” version.

James 4:6 “But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” This verse cross references Proverbs 3:34.

James 4:10 says “Humble yourself before the Lord, and He will exalt you.”

This reminds us that when we take into account who God truly is in all his goodness, mercy and holiness we will be brought to humility remembering who we are in reference to Him. Instead of measuring ourselves and others against our own made up rules for life, we can see them in light of the gospel and what has been done for us.

James 2:10-11 “For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. For 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.”

When we feel puffed up because “at least we didn’t do x,y or z like so and so” we are forgetting the grace that saved our souls, grace that must be extended to others because we are to be the hands and feet of the one who saved. We, in and of ourselves, are unable to measure up. Psalm 14:3 and Romans 3:10 “there is no one righteous, not even one.”

James 2:12-13 completes this thought process beautifully, “So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. For judgement is without mercy for the one who shows no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgement.”

James goes on in chapter 3 reminding us how we cut one another with our tongues and then in turn praise God with the same tongue. Then in chapter 4 he addresses our quarrelsome nature that is born out of discontentedness and selfish ambition. It cuts deep because we know it’s in our nature to condemn when we have been extended incredible grace.

So how do we manage our judgmental selves? How do we abide in grace and extend it to others readily without watering down what God requires? It starts in the privacy of our own hearts! To tune our ears to hear conviction(conviction that we may have silenced with our own justification) and practice responding consistently with humble repentance. As frequently as we need to(it’s just about every moment for me). We continue in this by being in the word frequently so that we may know His character and His voice. We draw near in prayer. This cycle should be on repeat until we’re called home.