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JUDGED BY THE LAW OF LIBERTY Ronnie Hayes Ronnie Hayes is a native to Alabama. He and his wife, the former Cynthia Reeves, have three children and three grandchildren. Hayes attended the Memphis School of Preaching in Tennessee, and received a B.A. degree from Southern Christian University and an M.A. degree from Freed-Hardeman University. He has done mission work in Latvia, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago. Hayes is the editor of the Vigil, published by the Adamsville, Alabama congregation, where he has worked since 2002. INTRODUCTION1 This lectureship’s theme, The Law of Christ, is one that is timely and needed. James wrote: “So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty” (Jas. 2:12). In the NIV, this verse reads: “Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom.” James clearly states that “the law of liberty”—the law which gives freedom—will judge our speech and our actions! How many take the term “liberty” and conclude that it means freedom to do whatever they want, without any law applying to what they do. Is James teaching that “liberty” is license to do, say, or participate in sin? Absolutely not! Let us consider what James 2:12 really is saying about “the law of liberty” and being judged by it. Albert Barnes, in his commentary on James, writes: The meaning is, that in all our conduct we are to act under the constant impression of the truth that we are soon to be brought into judgment, and that the law by which we are to be judged is that by which it is contemplated that we shall be set free from the dominion of sin.2 Barnes goes on to say: The sense is, “In all your conduct, whatever you do or say, remember that you are to be judged, or that you are to give an impartial account; and remember also that the rule by which your are to be judged is that by which provision is made for being 430 Ronnie Hayes 431 delivered from the dominion of sin, and brought into the freedom of the gospel.’”3 There is no doubt that all are going to be judged by the law of liberty. Winfred Clark in his book The Man Who Has Faith writes: “James had already referred to the New Testament as the ‘the perfect law of liberty’ (1:25), and now he says that it will be the standard at the great judgment (Jn. 12:48).”4 Examining a few specific terms used in James 2:12, let us first look at the terms, “Speak” and “Do.” Guy N. Woods, in his commentary on James, writes: “The verbs ‘speak,’ and ‘do,’ are present active imperatives, and thus designate habitual activity. Ever speak and ever do as men that are to be judged.”5 “Speak” is “to say”6 and “Do” is “to adopt a way of expressing by act the thoughts and feelings.”7 Paul commanded: “[W]hatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Col. 3:17). These two words sum up the totality of our lives. We are going to be judged according to what we say and do. Next, let us give our attention to the term “judged.” “Judged” “primarily denotes to separate, select, choose; hence, to determine, and so to judge, pronounce judgment.”8 There is no doubt that the Word of God says Judgment Day is coming (cf. Mt. 25:32; Acts 17:31; Rom. 2:16;14:12; 2 Cor. 5:10; Rev. 20:12). James 2:12 not only says that we are going to be judged, but it tells us by what, “the law of liberty.” Barnes draws the unmistakable conclusion: “The argument here seems to be, that he who habitually feels that he is soon to be judged by a law under which it was contemplated that he might be, and should be, free from the bondage of sin, has one of the strongest of all inducements to lead a holy life.”9 We must define what is meant by “law.” Woods defines law as “a rule of action.”10 This is not just a law or some law, but it is the “perfect law of liberty” (Jas. 1:15). This law refers to the last will and testament of Jesus Christ—the New Testament. Christ states: “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day” (Jn. 12:48). Without a doubt, the New Testament is more than a book of suggestions. It represents our opportunity for salvation (cf. Rom. 1:16), and it also will judge us (Jas. 1:25: 2:12). Last in our word list, we want to understand “liberty.” Liberty is defined as “a loosening, relaxation, indulgence, dismissal, release, forgiveness or freedom.”11 Many have the misconception that when we 432 Judged by the Law of Liberty are made free by “the perfect law of liberty,” there are no boundaries in our lives. James is not saying we have freedom to sin, but a freedom from sin. Putting it this way, Paul says: “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” (Rom. 6:1-2). Paul also states: “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death” (Rom. 8:2). The liberty that Christians enjoy is not a license to sin, but a loosening from the bonds of sin. Because of their freedom from sin, faithful Christians will not have to face the consequences of sin (cf. Rom. 3:23; 6:23). Are the terms “law” and “liberty” complementary or contradictory? Some think law and liberty cannot stand together. They say: “If you have law, then you cannot have liberty.” Is that true? Basically, what many want is pardon from sin while they continue to engage in it. Read again Romans 6:1-2 where Paul asked: “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” The Word of God does not give us a license to sin. It frees us from the bondage of sin, therefore giving us the freedom, liberty from the clutches of sin. To argue that law and liberty are contradictory and incompatible is preposterous. Guy N. Woods discusses “law and grace” in his book Questions and Answers. Many of the same statements are true in relationship to law and liberty. Woods says: Law is “a rule of action;” to insist that there is no law in the New Covenant is to urge that there is no rule by which we are to walk today. In complete contrast with such a view, there is a “law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2; 1 Cor. 9:21); a “law of the Spirit of life” (Rom. 8:2); a “law of liberty” (James 1:25; 2:12), a “law of love” (Rom. 13:10; and, to insist that there is no law in the New Testament is (a) in conflict with these plain affirmations of inspiration; and (b) implies that we are without an enforceable standard of conduct; and (c) disregards the significance of the word law.12 It is foolish to affirm, in one breath, that children of God are not under law, any law, law of any kind, and then to concede that they are under restraint. Law is restraint. Those who are re- strained are under law. Where there is no law there is no restraint. Moreover, those who are without law are without sin. Sin is the transgression of the law. “Where there is no law, neither is there transgression” (Rom. 4:15).13 Ronnie Hayes 433 Children of God have been, by the precious blood of Christ, redeemed from the curse of the law (of Moses), and are privi- leged, in Christ, to share in the blessings of salvation available through conformity to “the law of the Spirit of life.” (Rom. 8:2) Through the freedom from the law of Moses children of God today enjoy, they may pursue their obligations under the law of love, realizing that the law by which they shall be judged (James 2:12), is not one of slavery, but one of freedom. By this rule (of law), let us ever walk. (Gal. 6:16).14 The law of liberty. This statement is further explanatory of why the law is designated as perfect in the statement preceding. It is law, it is perfect law, it is a perfect law of liberty. It is law, because it is a rule of action the design of which is to govern our lives; It is a perfect law, because it is (a) without defect; (b) it is all-sufficient to accomplish the purpose for which it was designed. It is a law of liberty, because obedience thereto sets one free from the bondage of sin and Satan, and spiritual death. The view obtains with some that law and liberty are contradic- tory terms. The Holy Spirit, through James, envisioned no such difficulty. With him it is perfectly consistent to speak of law and liberty in the same breath, and to join them in the same phrase.