The “law of liberty” is a biblical concept that appears in James 1:25 and James 2:12. It refers to the freedom that comes through faith in Christ and obedience to God’s word. Here is an in-depth explanation of the meaning and significance of the law of liberty:
1. It is God’s law that gives freedom
The “law of liberty” contrasts with the Old Testament law which was characterized by strict legal requirements and punishments for disobedience. While the Mosaic Law contained God’s righteous standards, it did not provide the power to obey them. As a result, it brought bondage and condemnation (Romans 7:7-13).
In contrast, the “law of liberty” refers to the teachings of Christ and the New Testament that free us from sin and enable us to live righteously. When we trust in Christ, we receive the Holy Spirit who gives us power to overcome sin and walk in obedience (Romans 8:1-4). We are set free from the penalty of the law and enabled to fulfill it by the Spirit.
James says that this law gives freedom when it is obeyed. As we apply God’s word to our lives, it transforms our hearts and minds, freeing us from sinful behaviors and attitudes (John 8:31-32). The truth of Christ sets us free (John 8:31-32).
2. It is the “royal law” that fulfills the Old Testament law
James calls the law of liberty the “royal law” and the “perfect law of liberty” (James 1:25, 2:8). He quotes Leviticus 19:18 which says “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” This royal law encapsulates all the commandments because love fulfills the intent behind them (Matthew 22:37-40, Romans 13:8-10).
The Old Testament law pointed ahead to Christ and was fulfilled by him (Matthew 5:17-18). The royal law of love is the “new commandment” that Jesus gave his disciples to characterize his kingdom (John 13:34-35). When we walk in love, we fulfill the heart of Old Testament law.
3. It involves faith in Christ and obedience to his teachings
To be under the law of liberty means we have trusted in Christ for salvation. Galatians 5:1 says “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” Salvation liberates us from slavery to sin. It also gives us the power through the Spirit to resist sin rather than being controlled by it (Romans 6:5-7, 14-18).
The law of liberty also entails obedience to Christ’s commands. Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Submitting to the teachings of Scripture allows us to walk in the freedom and blessings of obedience.
After explaining the royal law, James emphasizes the need to obey it rather than just hear it (James 1:22-25). He says that those who look intently into the perfect law of liberty and apply it will be blessed in what they do (James 1:25).
4. It results in liberty from sin’s control and consequences
The law of liberty contrasts with those who live under the “law of sin and death” described in Romans 8:2. Unbelievers are in bondage to the sinful nature and cannot please God (Romans 8:5-8). There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus who walk according to the Spirit (Romans 8:1-4).
Before we were saved, sin ruled over us like a harsh slave master. But now Christ’s grace frees us from sin’s mastery and penalty (Romans 6:14-18). Sin’s wages is death, but God’s gift is eternal life in Christ Jesus (Romans 6:23).
When we submit to the law of liberty, it frees us from the misery and destruction caused by sin. We reap the fruit of righteousness and holiness as we obey Christ (Romans 6:19-22). We experience the blessings and rewards of walking in God’s will.
5. It results in freedom from manmade religious rules
In addition to freeing us from sin and death, the law of liberty also frees us from burdensome religious traditions and manmade rules. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for adding many strict religious regulations on top of God’s law and treating them as binding (Mark 7:1-13). Obeying extrabiblical rules can hamper our freedom in Christ.
Paul also confronted those who mandated certain religious observances as necessary for salvation, like circumcision or following Jewish laws. He maintained that salvation is by grace through faith alone (Galatians 5:1-6). God’s word frees us from manmade regulations that impede our liberty.
6. It requires us to avoid offenses towards others
An important aspect of walking in liberty is being careful not to cause others to stumble by abusing our freedom. Paul says: “Take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak” (1 Corinthians 8:9). Our freedom should be guided by love and seek the good of others.
Likewise, James warns against unbridled speech, saying “If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless” (James 1:26). Though Christ frees us from strict legalism, we still need to follow the royal law of love.
7. It needs to be applied with mercy towards others
In teaching the law of liberty, James instructs us to “speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom” (James 2:12). God will judge us impartially according to His standards.
However, James says “mercy triumphs over judgment” (James 2:13). Though we uphold God’s moral law, we temper it with mercy and grace towards others. Like the parable of the unmerciful servant, we have been forgiven much by God and should extend mercy to others (Matthew 18:21-35).
8. It produces joy and leads to eternal reward
Jesus said: “If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” (John 15:10-11). Obeying Christ produces fullness of joy.
Furthermore, Jesus promised eternal rewards for those who trust and obey him: “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” (Matthew 25:23). The law of liberty leads to eternal blessing.
In contrast, those who live in sin’s bondage face judgment. But the law of liberty sets us free to walk in righteousness and reap eternal joy and reward.
9. It requires us to act on God’s word, not merely listen to it
James contrasts merely listening to the word with actively applying it: “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says” (James 1:22). It is not enough just to intellectually acknowledge the truth – we must obey it.
He illustrates this with the example of looking in a mirror but then immediately forgetting what you look like. We need to continually look into the mirror of God’s perfect law and apply it to our lives. This takes spiritual discipline and effort, not just passive hearing.
Blessing comes from being “doers of the word, not hearers only” (James 1:25). We walk in liberty by putting scriptural truths into daily practice through the Spirit’s help. Oral agreement alone is worthless without practical action.
10. Examples of people who lived by the law of liberty
The New Testament contains many positive examples of people who embraced the law of liberty:
- The Thessalonian believers exemplified obedience to the gospel message (1 Thessalonians 1:4-10).
- The Bereans eagerly studied the Scriptures and believed in Christ (Acts 17:10-12).
- Timothy followed Paul’s teachings closely in his conduct (Philippians 2:19-22).
- Epaphras earnestly labored in prayer to establish believers in the word (Colossians 4:12-13).
- The believing Jews in Jerusalem were “zealous for the law” and became pillars in the early church (Acts 21:20).
In contrast, the New Testament also warns against false teachers who promise liberty while remaining enslaved to sinful desires (2 Peter 2:19). True freedom comes through genuine faith in Christ.
Conclusion
The “law of liberty” describes the wonderful freedom provided by Christ to all who trust in him. This liberty empowers us to walk in holiness through the Spirit. It frees us from sin’s control and consequences. It also delivers us from human regulations that hinder our relationship with God.
This law calls us to actively apply the Scriptures through the Spirit’s help. As we obey Christ’s teachings, we must balance grace and truth, love and holiness. This royal law encapsulates the heart of the New Covenant gospel and provides the path to true freedom.