After addressing favouritism within the church community, James continues to address his readers by speaking about relationships with others.
(A) Perfect love fulfills the law (Jas 2:8-11)
In James 2:8, James refers to the “royal law”, which is drawn from Leviticus 19:8-19. Leviticus is the law given to the people through Moses and it was given by God to prepare them for dwelling with God and as His people. God needs to show the people His holy standards, and how He is a God that hates sins and they are to live according to His character too. Thus, in this section of Leviticus, we will read a lot of prohibitions and it is important for us to understand what it means for the people of God when they obey and live it out.
In Leviticus 19:9-10, the people are told not to harvest the fields completely and neither are they to strip the vineyards bare. They are to leave some for the poor and the sojourner. In doing so, God’s people show care and provision for the needy.
They are not to deal dishonestly with others in both word and deed (Lev 19:11-12). This also involves not stealing, swearing by God’s name falsely, lying and dealing falsely with others. God’s people are not to disregard God’s holiness. Instead, they are to live truthful, honest lives and to be open with one another.
In Leviticus 19:13-14, God’s people are not to take advantage of the people around them — neighbour, employee, deaf, blind. God’s people are not to take advantage of another’s vulnerability, disability and weakness. His people should reflect God’s care and concern even for those who are less fortunate and to also respect the vulnerable.
They are not to be unjust in court and also outside of it (Lev 19:15-16). Justice and righteousness must always prevail in the justice system. They are also not to go around making false testimony and framing others. God’s people must have a fair justice system.
They are not to hate, bear a grudge or take vengeance (Lev 19: 17-18). In doing so, we love our neighbours as ourselves.
Leviticus gives us a very realistic depiction of life. There is a recognition that there will be conflict. God is not out of touch with reality and human nature. Despite the differences that are bound to happen, they are called to be people that do not bear grudges or harbour hate. Instead, they are to be marked by making amends, making up and being at peace with one another despite their differences. They are not seeking to fight for their own rights, but are to be a community that serves each other’s well-being. They are to love and strive to forgive and be at peace with one another.
We see how principles of holiness are applied to various aspects of Israelite life. Why? Because God is holy. Notice the repetition of the phrase, “I am the LORD” throughout Leviticus 19. The reason behind all of these prohibitions and commands is because of who God is. These show God’s priorities and His heart! In obeying these commands, they are also becoming like God and reflecting Him.
James quotes this to remind a people that are scattered, not in their homeland, and facing trials that despite their circumstances, because God is holy, they are to live out their faith where they are. They are not to keep their faith as knowledge in their head, but to love their neighbours as themselves.
James also quote from Jesus’ own words in Matthew 22:37-40. The greatest commandment, according to Jesus, is to love the Lord with all your heart, soul and mind. And the second is to love your neighbour as yourselves. There is both a vertical and horizontal dimension.
Thus , James is trying to teach his audience that the law is not to be seen as detached, separate requirements (Lev 19:9-10). A failure to keep any part of it means that we have failed the whole law. The law is like a sheet of glass where if it is broken in one part, the quality of the whole piece is affected.
James also links to the previous paragraph about partiality (Jas 2:9). In favouring the rich over the poor, and making it a more and more common practice, they are breaking the law and sinning. In favouring the rich over the poor, are they just passing down injustice? From James 2:6, we can infer that perhaps, favouring the rich is for their own preservation.
James also uses two examples — adultery and murder in James 2:11. In transgressing these, they have also transgressed the law.
What does this mean for us? Consider our relationships in life. Remember the larger context of James — that they are facing trials. James writes these verses with suffering at the back of their minds. In the same way, we will all face trials in life, even in the church. Betrayals, even by those closest to us, will hurt. Maybe we find it hard to keep reaching out to those in church. It may also be hard to talk to those who are different from us — those who are slightly socially awkward, or people who do not watch the same shows us us etc. We have all failed to love our neighbour and we are unable to fulfil all of the royal law. Do you recognise this?
Friends, the law is meant to show us our inability to fulfil the law, obey God perfectly and reflect His character perfectly. Only one was able to do so — Jesus. He came to fulfil the law — all of it — and He did so perfectly. What we have to do is to repent, turn to Him by faith and rest in His perfect adherence of the law.
(B) Speak and act humbly and show mercy (Jas 2:12-13)
James also speaks about the sobering reality of life under the law (Jas 2:12). We are to speak and act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty.
In 1 Corinthians 3:12-15, Paul speaks of building on the foundation with different materials and on the day of final judgement, fire will reveal and test the quality of these works. Works done by believers will be tested and not all of these works are equal in value. Works that survive will be rewarded and on the other hand, works that are burned up will be lost. Now, this does not mean we will lose our salvation. Paul is clear that he will be saved (1 Cor 3:15).
But what is the sobering reality here? While we are saved, the things that we do, the work we pour ourselves into still matters. Faith still needs to produce works and our works will also be judged. Paul is writing to believers in Corinth to teach them that works done in obedience and faith to God will survive and be rewarded. Works done in disobedience will not.
We will all be judged for our words, thoughts and deeds.
The news of our day can feel overwhelming and it can feel like nothing matters. What’s the point of obedience when we have to say goodbye to our dreams with the current uncertainties in life. We can feel like God has forgotten us. Why should i care about how I treat others — my own life is in a mess?
But the Bible tells us that what we do matters. What we do now has eternal value and it will not escape the fire of testing from God. Each act — good or bad — will be revealed. The sacrifices made to accommodate the needs of others will not go unnoticed. the time you gave up to read the word with another will not be unnoticed. Do you feel like your obedience goes unnoticed? Take heart.
This life and its pleasures are fleeting but the rewards that God promises will last through eternity. Our actions have weight and meaning not just for this world, but for eternity. It is not just about how we think and feel towards others, but that also changes how we act. We do not act as if we are above the law, but as those who will still be judged by the law, though it is our law of liberty. Jesus obeyed the law perfectly on our behalf and we are liberated in this law. The day Christ died is the true liberation day. It is a life set free from trying to adhere to the law and we are now free to joyfully obey the law. In Christ, our sins have been paid for and we now life under the law of liberty.
In Christ, we see the law not as oppressive but relate to it in humility. Joyful obedience is now possible for we can be more and more like our God!
From the parable in Matthew 18:32-36, we see that recipients of mercy experience tremendous but it is another thing to see and acknowledge it. The man received great mercy but was not conscious of it. Mercy is the withholding rightful judgement. Yet this man went on without seeing this!
It is a good thing for us too, to have people in our lives that can point out our sins. Without knowing the seriousness of our transgressions, we will be unable to understand the sweetness of merciful pardon. Only when we know mercy will we be able to show mercy. James 2:13 warns us that harsh judgments on others will result in our own harsh judgements. Let us extend the same mercy that we have received from God to those others.
The opposite of favouritism is not just being fair but Christians who, in spite of trials and persecution, continue to be shaped by the love they have received. They are free to obey with a joy, free to show practical good to those around them and act and speak as those who will give an account to God.
Let us seek to show the same love and mercy to those around us.