James 2:12 So speak you, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. I. To EXPLAIN THIS CHARACTER OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION, that it is a "law of liberty." 1. It is evident that it is a law, that is, a revelation of the will of God to men for the direction of their lives, enforced by the sanction of rewards and punishments. Yet our condition is not rendered servile by it. We cannot in any case act without motives, but they do not make us slaves. The human nature being rational, reason does not destroy its freedom, but establish it, and is the rule of it; then only are we indeed free when we conduct ourselves with understanding. On this account principally the gospel is called the law of liberty, it restores the empire of reason in men, and rescues them from servitude to their lusts and passions. 2. Pursuant to this, Christians by the gospel have obtained a deliverance from condemnation, and therefore it may justly be called the law of liberty. 3. The gospel is a law of liberty, as it frees Christians from the burthensome rites of the Mosaic institution. 4. The gospel is a law of liberty, as it sets us free from the power and authority of men in matters of religion and conscience. II. TO CONSIDER THE APOSTLE'S DIRECTION TO CHRISTIANS, that they should constantly endeavour to form their whole conduct by a respect to the future judgment, which will be dispensed according to the gospel, to the law of liberty. 1. It ought never to be imagined that the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free was intended to weaken the obligations of our duty, or take away the binding force of the Divine precepts which are indispensable. 2. It would seem by the connection of the apostle's discourse that he designed this particularly as a motive to candour and charity in all our deportment towards men. 3. There is in the exhortation of the text a designed reference to the universality of our obedience, as that only which can give us hope of being acquitted in judgment. (J. Abernethy, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.WEB: So speak, and so do, as men who are to be judged by a law of freedom. |
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