Law of Liberty

The book of James is the only place we run into the phrase, "Law of Liberty", not once but twice!

James 1:25
James 2:12

But what does this term mean!!!!?????

Well since no definition is given where the phrase appears, then we are going to have to do some extrapolation ... by considering other Bible verses and thinking on how they might apply here.

Now James' main theme seems to be one of FAITH, having it, living it, walking in it.  It is supposed to be the driving force in your life as you live before God.  So, does this mean I have liberty in my walk of faith ... ?

Well, yes and no.

Deuteronomy 10:1418
Acts 10:14 - 18
1 Samuel 16:1, 16:6 - 13
James 4:6

So, you are chugging along as a Christian, living your everyday Christian life, and then discover you might not be living a Christian life after-all!  What went wrong?

You did what you want, when you want
With no consideration to others, you did just what you wanted to do and called it God's Will.
Or you gave lip service to others, maybe even appeared compliant to the wishes of your Church, but inside - well you were a seething pot of lava waiting to erupt!
Or no one can tell you are any different on the inside than any other person they know.

You did what you thought was right
You lived your Christian life, with the approval of your family and friends.
Never did much to further the Kingdom of God, then again He never asked you to.
Your peers all agree, you are a great Christian.

You did what you were led to do
Your acts may be appalling to others.
Your acts may be approved by some.
Your acts may or may not cause stress amongst your peers.
Your investment does not seem to be paying off well.
You may be doing exactly what you are supposed to do.

Somewhere in the above scenarios live all of us, at one time or another.  There maybe even more examples you can think of, but I am tired and plowing through this idea here.

We are supposed to live, work and walk by Faith and Faith alone, if I understand my James.
And somewhere Liberty comes into play.  But, this not the liberty that our culture understands!  This is the liberty that comes from living, working and walking to God's direction - not our own!
"Wait a minute!", you say, that is not liberty at all that is servitude!  Congratulations, you just came to understand that you are not your own person, you are to be God's slave!

So, if you read those verses above, you came to see where this is going early on:
God shows no partiality - and neither should you.
God looks at the heart, not stumbling actions - with discernment, so should you! 
God opposes the proud - and so should  you.
God has made you a Servant, not the master.
God gives Grace to the humble - and you should provide mercy ...

Grace is what God can give in bringing you to Salvation.
Mercy is what God gives us each and everyday by not giving us what we deserve!

Close to all we are ever capable of is wrong doing and giving Jesus black eyes, well if you are much like me anyway.
And, there is a great big world out there just waiting to bring you down.
Your Response?
Show equality to everyone, with no partiality.
Pray for a servant's heart and opportunities to SERVE Him.
Pray for DISCERNMENT so that you can know intent, not results.
Pray for the humbling of the proud and their delivery to Jesus' feet for salvation.
(Yeah, that includes - it can happen to you!)

And what is the "Law of Liberty" referred to in James?

Living all aspects of your life in faith alone, condemning no one, having the freedom now to do unto others, as Jesus did by example.  :)

We forget, we are mighty yucky in Jesus' eyes and yet He allows us Grace and Mercy ... it seems we are to be so towards others as well.

You have the right to be ... COMPASSIONATE to all
You have the right to be ... MERCIFUL to all
You have the right to be ... a SERVANT to all
You have the right to be ... a SLAVE to God
You have the right to be ... HATED by the world
You have the right to be ... LOVED, perhaps by God alone ...