Living in Freedom

In every way, then, speak and act as people who will be judged by the law of freedom. -James 2:12

Have you ever wondered how to behave?

You are a Christian, so what does that mean as to how you live your life?  The book of James deals with these kinds of questions.  We are Christians, but we are becoming Christ-like.  We might need some help, some guidance; and that's what the book of James is.

Keep the whole law

After a discussion of favoritism and class-ism or class warfare, James enjoins us to fulfill the royal law of loving our neighbor as ourselves.  James then reminds his readers that they need to keep the whole law.  You can not pick and choose where you will obey and disobey.

The law of freedom

Then James makes the statement that in every way, we should speak and act as people who will be judged by the law of freedom.  What does James mean by this and was it only applicable to his original audience?

The word judged means evaluated

Our sin, past, present, and future; has been dealt with or judged on the cross.  The condemnation of sin has been justified by Jesus on the cross (Romans 5:18).  Through Christ we are forgiven and restored to relationship with God.  Through Christ, we can live a holy life, without sin.  It is the same Christ who puts sin to death on the cross and gives us new life in him.  The way in is the way on.  There is no longer any condemnation of sin for those in Christ, but we are evaluated in a judgement.

The Christian life is a life of growth in Christ-likeness

Christ is able to obey the whole law.  Jesus said that the whole law boils down to loving God and loving your neighbor (Matt. 22:36-40).

Set free from sin in Christ

The law of freedom or the law of liberty, carries with it the idea that we are set free from sin in Christ.  We are free and have liberty to not sin.  Sin brings bondage when it is not repented of and cleansed by God.  The good news of the Gospel is that you can be free and have liberty in Christ.  Christ is always announcing the year of jubilee, the time of being set free from bondage, the time of turn-around, the time of freedom (Isaiah 61).