The Royal Law
From “Daily Nuggets Day 9” exploring the Book of James:
“If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbour as yourself,” you are doing right. 9 But if you show favouritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11 For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. 12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13 because judgement without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgement.” James 2:8-13
I like how James refers to God’s laws as the “royal” law – he recognises God as King and His principles as the laws of the Kingdom of heaven. This law gives freedom when we live it out but also serves as the standard of judgement when we break them. But the law is not just an arbitrary or draconian set of rules. The law is based on God’s character of love:
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40
Jesus wasn’t making up a new law – He was quoting an old one (Leviticus 19:18). But He lived out the law as no one had before – He loved humanity unto death and showed us what true fulfilment of the law look like.
“Love is the fulfilling of the law”(Romans 13:10). The lawyer who questioned Jesus wanted to do the least amount necessary for salvation and wanted a narrow definition of love (“And who is my neighbour?” Luke 10:29). But Jesus told the parable of the Good Samaritan (c.f. Luke 10:25-27) and described a man who should have practised favouritism (Samaritans were enemies of the Jews) but instead showed incredible kindness to a stranger lying on the road. Two other men who should have been neighbourly towards their fellow countryman used the law as an excuse for not helping this victim.
“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” Jesus asked. 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10:36,36
For mercy triumphs over judgement.
by: Jinha Kim
"But those who drink the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14