THE LAW OF LIBERTY

     “THE LAW OF LIBERTY” is a law of love and forgiveness, based on the forgiveness of sins, that sets us free; and requires those who receive it, to administer it to others. It is also called “THE PERFECT LAW OF LIBERTY,” and “THE GLORIOUS LIBERTY,” and is based upon the forgiveness of God that comes through Jesus Christ our Lord. It is very important that we learn to walk in this liberty, but equally important that we extend this freedom to others.

     In the book of James, often thought of as a book of legalism by people who see a conflict with grace and works, I find James declaring a freedom that is maintained by its expression toward others. As Jesus said to Peter, don't just tell Me you love Me, show Me by feeding My sheep, James writes: "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass [mirror]: For he beholds himself, and goes his way, and straightway forgets what manner of man he was." (James 1: 22-24) We are not to forget what condition we were in, prior to a transformed life. As an ugly sinner I am "… justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." (Rom. 3: 24) By the way, Paul also says, "For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified." (Rom. 2:13) When we receive this freedom from sin, we should not become arrogant, stiff-necked, and condescending, towards those who have not. As beneficiaries, and inheritors of this blessing, we must in turn benefit and bless others with the same generosity that we have received.
      James continues: "But whoso looks into the PERFECT LAW OF LIBERTY, and continues therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed." (James 1:25) How is he blessed in his deed? I believe it relates to being empowered to be obedient to the Word. Jesus told His disciples that He had "… meat to eat that you know not of." (John 4:32) This is soul food that gives strength to those who partake of it. This same meat is given to those who are being transformed into the image of Christ and are becoming extensions of His Ministry of Reconciliation. Paul writes, "Bear … one another's burdens, and so fulfill the LAW of Christ." (Gal. 6:2) This is the LAW that is written on our hearts, the very nature of God, imparted to those who receive His Spirit. James adds, "If you fulfill the ROYAL LAW according to the scripture, You shall love your neighbor as yourself, you do well…." (James 2:8) Peter writes, "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy [“holy priesthood,” vs. 5] nation, a peculiar [God's own] people; that you should show forth [exhibit] the praises of Him [extolling His qualities, attributes] Who has called you out of darkness into His marvellous light…." (1 Peter 2: 9) We that walk in this LIGHT should not bring DARKNESS to others, but should be reflecting that LIGHT!
     As a reconciled person who is pardoned from sin, I am no longer to operate under the system of this world that would bind, wound, and punish those who sin against me. It is a hard, -- no, an impossible life to live, in the face of so much opposition; it takes the power of God working in a person, to live it. Of our own selves we can do nothing. In Matt. 18: 21-35, Jesus gives a parable about the forgiveness that is to come from someone who has been forgiven, and that person knows he has been forgiven a huge, unpayable debt. He speaks of a man who was forgiven $3,840,000,000 (3.84 Billion dollars, if silver) and would not forgive his fellow servant $3200.00. Often we hear that God “forgives and forgets,” yet this passage seems to contradict that. Throughout scripture God shows us that it is people’s rejection of Him, that brings His rejection of them.
     Jesus reveals that many will come, boasting in what they have done in His Name, which is actually a rejection of what He has done for them. (See Matthew 7: 13-27.) Because of their choice, He tells them to depart from Him, and He calls them "workers of iniquity." Those that “work iniquity” reject the ways of God, and substitute their own ways. They violate, or show contempt, for the LAW of God. There is man’s way, and there is God’s way; when men reject God’s way, they go astray. As God tries to draw them back, they keep rejecting Him, because they have substituted their own god, that looks like Him. Paul says about carnal Israel (which is like human nature) that "... they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end [the aim, completion of God’s purpose] of the LAW for righteousness to every one that believes." (Rom. 10:2-4) Those people referred to in Matthew 7 "testify" (by their words, about their deeds) that their righteousness lies in what they have done for God (in Jesus’ name).
     When we look closer at this passage in Matthew, we see that Jesus is talking about taking on the character of God, and doing the will of God, as Jesus did. A tree produces fruit of its own kind, so by their fruits you will know them. Those that are acceptable to God are they that bear resemblance to the Tree of Life, not the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The evil tree (of flesh) produces workers of iniquity that boast of what "I" have done, while the Tree of Life brings forth men that "show forth the praises of Him Who has called you out of darkness into His marvellous light." (1 Peter 2: 9, quoted earlier in more detail) "Not every one that says unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of My Father which is in heaven." (Matt. 7:21) Has He condemned you for the large debt you owe Him? No! Then, taking on the character of God, you are to forgive those who trespass against you, for "The love of Christ constrains [empowers, impels] us." (2 Cor. 5: 14)
     James writes, "So speak, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the LAW OF LIBERTY. For He shall have judgment without mercy, that showed no mercy; and mercy rejoices against judgment." (James 2: 12-13) "But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth.…" (Rom.2: 2) Men are not capable of making right judgments; God is. This is why we are to speak and to do as those who know "that the goodness of God leads you to repentance.... Who will render to every man according to his deeds….” (Rom. 2: 4, 6) If it were not for His forbearance, all men would perish; but by His grace we are saved through faith, so that His judgment is with mercy upon those who receive His Son, Who is the Propitiation (Atonement) for our sins.
     "Now thanks be unto God, which [Who] always causes us to triumph in Christ,..." (2 Cor. 2:14) The mercy that “rejoices against judgment” also triumphs over condemnation. As beneficiaries of His mercy, we are empowered to walk as both forgiven and forgiving people, so it is God Who "makes manifest [known, thoroughly understood] the savour of His knowledge by us in every place." (2 Cor. 2:14) Instead of having the religious odor that comes from the self righteous, like those boasters in Matthew 7, we should show gratitude in word and deed, so that as witnesses of His generosity, we will be giving off a fragrance that brings honor to God. We should be “the savour of His knowledge … in every place.” “For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?" (2 Cor. 2: 15-16) This is both the LIBERTY and the Beauty of those who know their deficiencies, and know their God. "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; Who also has made us able ministers of the new testament…." (2 Cor. 3: 5-6)
     Jesus said He would draw all men unto Himself. What is this draw? I believe it is His beauty, but not His physical appearance, for "... His visage [appearance] was so marred [disfigured] more than any man, and His form more than the sons of men…." (Isa. 52: 14) We see this beauty now; but later, the Jews will look upon Him Who was pierced, and they will also see His beauty. The question now is, are we presenting this same beauty, this sweet-smelling fragrance, in our reaching out to others? With the Loving-kindnesses of God stored in our hearts, are we offering the same rest, security, peace, and acceptance, that comes from our knowledge of this LAW OF LIBERTY of which I am writing?
     In evangelism and proselytizing, there is a need to warn of the wrath to come, but we need to present the hope of the Gospel with the Joy of our Salvation that is more winsome than fearsome. The true care of souls will cause us to seek God for His direction, in all encounters we face. Without this seeking, we would resort to our own sufficiency and often cause harm rather than good. Jude writes, "Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion [bring help to the wretched], making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh." (Jude 21-23) How would you know when to use compassion and when to save with fear? There is not a program out there that can do this, but only the wisdom of our God Who gives it liberally to those who ask. (See James 1: 5)
     "... your faith should not stand [you should not have confidence] in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. ... But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory…." (1 Cor. 2: 5, 7) This Glory is a GLORIOUS LIBERTY, spoken of by Paul In Romans: “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. ...[and] the creature [all of creation] itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into THE GLORIOUS LIBERTY of the children of God." (Rom. 8: 18, 21) There is a Glory and there is a Liberty which comes to the people of God. It is not man-made, cannot be bought or earned; it is the free gift of God. Jesus said, "And the GLORY which You gave Me, I have given them; that they may be one, even as We are one…." (John 17:22) This is "... the mystery which has been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest [known, visible] to His saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory…." (Col. 1:26-27)
     What Paul called “the sufferings of this present time,” (Rom. 8:18) he words a little differently in 2 Corinthians: "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory…." (2 Cor. 4: 17) The “moment” is our lifetime, and the “light affliction” refers to such things as troubles on every side, persecution, and death. This is a “temporal” thing (vs. 18) not worthy to be compared to the glory that shall be revealed in us. “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels [frail human bodies], that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. ... For God, Who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, has shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face [God’s expression] of Jesus Christ." (2 Cor. 4: 7, 6) Jesus said, "… he that has seen Me, has seen the Father….” (John 14: 9) “God ... Has in these last days spoken unto us by His son, ...Who being the [reflected] brightness of His glory, and the express image [exact expression] of His person [substance]…. (Heb. 1: 1-3) When we see Jesus, we see the Father’s merciful attitude toward the sinner, so we, as redeemed sinners, should express that same merciful attitude toward others.
     When you think of the two brothers in the parable about the Prodigal son, which of the two brothers was more likely to express the character of the father? The stay- at-home son already showed the opposite, when he would not receive his lost brother who had returned. The Prodigal, as a beneficiary of his father’s loving-kindness, would be empowered by that generosity he knew he didn't deserve. He went from demanding, to repentance, to being overcome by awe, as his father lavished unmerited favor upon him. The stay-at-home (religious) son was still boasting of who he was and what he had done to deserve his father’s blessings. He just didn't get any of it. He rejected the LIBERTY he had in his father, when he looked to his accomplishments, as earning his father’s favor.
     Jesus uses other examples to explain that to whom little is forgiven, little is expected, because they are less capable of grasping their need for forgiveness, like the self-justifying Pharisees, who would conspire to kill Him, would not receive His message, or the repentance message of John the Baptist. One Pharisee (named Simon) invited Jesus to dinner, and while there, a woman (who knew she was a sinner) came in with an alabaster box of ointment. She washed Jesus' feet with her tears, wiped them with the hairs of her head, and anointed them with the ointment. But the Pharisee, who had not even offered the customary bowl of water to wash His feet, got indignant over the woman's actions and Jesus' response. Jesus countered by posing this parable as a question: “There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence [a pence is equal to a day’s wages], and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly [freely] forgave them both. Tell Me therefore, which of them will love him most? Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom He forgave most. And He said unto him, You have rightly judged.” (Luke 7: 41- 43) So, of the woman with the alabaster box, Jesus says, “Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much [showed her love]: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little." (Luke 7:47; see 7:36-50 for complete story)
      She "showed her love" and the Pharisee did not show his love. In all the examples of scripture I have used, there is a “show me the results” of what you have benefited by. Of those who have recognized they have been freely forgiven a great debt, God has a right to expect attitudes and actions that reflect gratitude for His generosity. We are not to look to anyone or anything to pay a debt that is impossible to pay. Nor can we rest on our laurels, boast in our accomplishments, or look to our heritage for security. Only God could do this thing we call Salvation.
     I close with this final passage of scripture, spoken by John The Baptist as he was preparing the way of the Lord and the revelation of the SALVATION OF GOD to the people, “Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance….” (Luke 3: 8) He also tells them not to look to Abraham (as his descendants) because God is removing all their false securities: “… the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which brings not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire." (Luke 3: 8-9) By our fruits we will shall be known. Are they befitting a King? Do they reflect the care and provision of God? Are they worthy of repentance? Like the Prodigal son, we can rejoice in this freedom that comes from the glory of our Father, and we can walk in this LAW OF LIBERTY, and we need to exhibit it with others. Faith without this expression is dead. It is like a branch that does not abide in the vine. It has no life supporting it, because it does not draw from the Tree of Life, nor exercise itself in love toward his neighbor. May God grant us all the Spirit of Repentance that we may come to our senses, and bear the fruit of the Root.
     

With much love, Joe (with Mercy)