The Perfect Law of Liberty

 The Perfect Law of Liberty

Introduction:

For many in the world, “law” is a dirty word, a bad word.  They see law as something that takes away their freedom, their liberty to live as they please.  But, just for a moment, try to imagine our world today without law. Chaos would reign.  Murder, rape, stealing, would be rampant.  No one would be safe.  Civilization would break down.  So law is good for us; it protects us.

The inspired writer James informs us about the importance of the “perfect law of liberty.”  (James 1:25)  We are told to look, to look intently, and to stoop over with our head bent forward to see something carefully and accurately.  The idea is to focus all of our attention so we can inspect it carefully.  So what lessons can be learn about the “perfect law of liberty”?

Text:  James 1:25  “But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.”  NKJV

Body:

I.   It Is a Law

·   In the prior verses 21-24, James is discussing the word, the Word of God, Scripture.  James calls this a law because it is the authoritative body of divine truth which is the basis for the Christian faith.  It is our rule of action, our standard of conduct.  A Christian’s life is to be regulated today by the gospel, the New Testament.

·   Some say that today we are not under law, but under grace.  While it’s true we are not under the Law of Moses, (Ephesians 2:15-16) we are under law because if we weren’t, there would be no sin.  (I John 3:4)  This law is binding upon all men.  (Titus 2:11)

·   This law is elsewhere called the “law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2), the "royal law" (James 2:8) and the “law of the spirit of life.  (Romans 8:1-2) 

II.   It Is Perfect

·   The gospel is complete and whole, lacking nothing.  (II Timothy 3:16)  It is sufficient and comprehensive.  All truth has been fully revealed.  (Jude 3, I Corinthians 13:10)

·   This law is also perfect because it originates from a perfect God.  The perfect Lawgiver cannot be bettered.  It is without error and perfect for all situations and all circumstances.  Note Psalm 19:7-11.  God’s Word has the power to turn sinners to a holy God.  It is sure and steadfast and capable of making us wise.  This perfect law cannot be improved upon in any way.  Any tampering by man will destroy its perfection.  (Revelation 22:18-19) 

III.   It’s the Law of Liberty

·   It is freedom from the bondage of the Law of Moses.  (Galatians 5:1)  “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangles again with a yoke of bondage.”  NKJV  (Acts 15:4-5, 10, Romans 8:2)  The law of Moses was incapable of the justification of sinners (Acts 13:39).

·   It is freedom from the bondage of sin.  (Romans 6:16-19, 20-22)  All who are under the tyranny of lust or anger or hate are slaves while all who live with the law are truly free.  (John 8:34-36)

·   This liberty is not a license to sin, to live anyway that one desires.  (Galatians 5:13, 1 Peter 2:16, Romans 6:1-2)  True liberty is living as we should, not as we please.  It influences us to serve and obey God not out of compulsion, but out of love.  Men are truly free when they want to do what they ought to do.  (II Corinthians 10:5)

·   The law of liberty is contrasted with the law of Moses.  Galatians 6:18, "Everyone that heareth these words of mine and doeth them not ... like the foolish man who built his house on the sand ... great was the fall thereof (Matthew 7:26-27). This is a call to obey all of what Jesus taught. But, is not the Law of Christ a "law of liberty" in comparison with the Law of Moses? To be sure it is.

• All of the vast ceremonial, with its physical sacrifices, presentations upon certain days, and intricate, elaborate procedures for every conceivable kind of violation is gone.
• The subjection to a priesthood of men, which was a part of the old law, has been taken away (Hebrews 9).
• There is forgiveness of violations under the New, but there was none under the Old (Hebrews 10:4). 
• Not any of the morality, integrity, honesty, truthfulness, sobriety, chastity, etc., that were required under the law of Moses have been relaxed under Christ. The notion that Christianity has a looser moral code than Judaism is ridiculous; and yet that is the understanding some have regarding the wonderful "freedom in Christ." Such is a fatal delusion. If Christ came into the world in order to relax the will of God regarding what is or is not righteousness then it must follow that He died so that we would be free to sin as we please, (Romans 6:15-16).  As a matter of truth, the morality of Christ is a higher, stricter and tighter code than Judaism ever was, as specifically elaborated in theSermon on the Mount.
• This undeniable truth sends shudders of apprehension through those who see it and draw back and cry, "Impossible! Who can be perfect? Where is any possible ground of confidence?"  Despite the higher level of morality required of Christians, and despite the specific commandments of both a positive and negative nature which abound in Christian doctrine, and despite the fact that no salvation of any kind is promised to them who "obey not the gospel," (2 Thessalonians 1:8), there is, nevertheless, the solid ground of absolute trust and confidence "in Christ." The forgiveness provided under the law of Christ is operative on a constant and continual basis, "cleansing us of all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:7-9).  There are two questions that if answered affirmatively will bestow full confidence in the Christian. "Am I in Christ?" (Romans 8:1),  and "Shall I be found in him?" (2 Peter 3:14).  Our confidence is not found in our own success as to meeting God's standards, but it is in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Conclusion:

Our text, James 1:25, reveals that the one who continues in the perfect law of liberty and is a doer of the work, will be blessed in what he does.   (Psalm 19:11)  “Moreover by them Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward.”  NKJV   (John 13:17) “If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.”  NKJV  (Revelation 14:12-13) “Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.  Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, Write Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.  Yes, says the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.”  NKJV  The blessed are singularly favored by God. 

Bobby Stafford   

February 1, 2015