So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty.
James 2:12
If we all are guilty of sinning against the Lawgiver (see one step: James 2.2), who has any hope?
James instructs that in light of our sinfulness, we ought to live as those being judged under the law of liberty. What does this mean?
As Douglas Moo explains,
God’s gracious acceptance of us does not end our obligation to obey him; it sets it on a new footing. No longer is God’s law a threatening, confining burden. For the will of God now confronts us as a law of liberty—an obligation we discharge in the joyful knowledge that God has both “liberated” us from the penalty of sin and given us, in his Spirit, the power to obey his will.
God invites us as forgiven children to live a life of obedience that is rooted in gratitude for our freedom! This gratitude is to be expressed in righteous living.* What does that look like?
Righteous living looks like speaking and acting right.* According to the Greek words used, these words can be accurately translated as “be constantly speaking” and “always be acting.”* It’s an ongoing commitment to right living as a response to a wonderful, forgiving Father. Can any of us achieve this on our own? No. We need the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.*
Why does James say, “judged?” Even Christians undergo judgement in the end. We will be judged according to what we did whether good or bad (2 Corinthians 5:10).* Thanks to Christ, our judgement takes place before Christ, who already offered us freedom through His grace and mercy.* That’s some good news. That’s something to be grateful for!
Today, take a step.
Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to remember afresh the grace and mercy that He gave to you. Perhaps today God would have you engage in right acting and speaking in some area of life as an expression of gratitude to Him. Maybe today God would remind you of the good news that righteousness depends upon Christ, and the Holy Spirit empowers you to live right.
Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.
Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus.
Feel free to comment at the bottom of this page! We would love to hear from you!
*Blomberg, C. L., & Kamell, M. J. (2008). James (Vol. 16, p. 119). Zondervan.
Guthrie, G. H. (2006). James. In T. Longman III & D. E. Garland (Eds.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Hebrews–Revelation (Revised Edition) (Vol. 13, pp. 236–237). Zondervan.
Stulac, G. M. (1993). James (Jas 2:8-13). IVP Academic.
Moo, D. J. (2021). The Letter of James (D. A. Carson, Ed.; Second Edition, pp. 148-150). William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
Nystrom, D. P. (1997). James (pp. 122-123). Zondervan Publishing House.