BOOK OF JAMES

STUDY PART 10

“Guilty Of All”

James 2:8-13 “(8) “If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself”, you are doing right. (9) But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as law breakers. (10) For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. (11) For he who said, “Do not commit adultery, also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. (12) Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, (13) because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

Intro:  James brings our attention in this study to one of the causes which has blighted the Christian Church, that of showing respect of persons on the basis of wealth and social position. We learned this as well from our last lesson from the rich man and poor man who enter the church and how each is treated differently. This lesson is again repeated in these versus placing an emphasis on this message of showing favoritism which is a sin. This action is inconsistent with the principles of God’s Holy Word. Before us this evening comes the Royal Law and our responsibility to it. This law is royal because it originated in the royal courts of heaven. It is given to us because we are called a “royal priesthood”- in I Peter 2:9. Therefore, it should be our desire to live according to it.

I.                     “The Royal Law and respect of persons (Vs. 8,9) “(8) “If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself”, you are doing right. (9) But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as law breakers.—Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. This law is sovereign (Col 1:16) for it comes from our Lord Jesus Christ (Mat. 22:37-40). And, look at Gal 5:14 “For all the law is fulfilled in one Word even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” This royal law is according to the scripture. James, like all true servants of God, believed in the inspiration and infallibility of Holy Scripture. (I Peter 1:21 and II Tim. 3:16). James appeals to Gods Word as his authority. We should all be living according to the Scripture (I John 2: 3-6). This royal law expresses the believers relationship to his fellow man. “Love thy neighbor as thyself”. Who is thy neighbor? (Luke 10:29-37)-Good samaratin. Don’t overlook those you live with and then those in our ever increasing circle. We are to love, as we love our husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, parents, children, and OURSELVES. This reveals the depth of that love. We should love as Christ loved as revealed in a self sacrificing love (Eph. 5:25-28). Christ bore our sin burdens on the cross. We should “bear one anothers burdens”-Gal 6:2. To show respect of persons is a sin vs. 9 for one goes against the teaching of Gods Word- (Lev. 19:5).  What is Sin?  A) Sin is the transgression of the Law (I John 3:4). In      I John 5:17, it is even broader when it says “all unrighteousness is sin.” B) The thought of folly or foolishness is a sin (Prov. 24:9)  C) To doubt and worry is a sin (Rom 14:23) D) All pride is a sin (Prov. 21:4).  Our vs. 9 in James 2 states “If ye respect persons, ye commit sin.

II.                   Guilty of breaking the whole law (Vs. 10) (10) For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.--- Keep the whole law. Christ is the only one who has ever done it. (Rom. 10:4). When Moses came down from Mt. Sinia, the children of Israel had already broken the first commandment. To those who think they have kept all the commandments, let them consider Exodus 20:1-18. You might not have worshiped a golden calf, but have you worshiped gold? Hve you ever put anything ahead of God? Have you ever disobeyed just once? Have you ever used the Lord’s name in vain just once? Have you ever told just one lie? Have you ever looked at someone else with covetness?  TO BREAK ONE OF THESE COMMANDMENTS IS TO BREAK THEM ALL OR BREAK THE WHOLE LAW. If a person was suspended over a lake, and one link in the chain which held him broke, he would fall. A circle is marred when one piece is out of place.

III.                  Sins again the royal law (Vs. 11) (11) For he who said, “Do not commit adultery, also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.—Two glaring sins against our neighbor in vs. 11. 1) Do not commit adultery”- notice here adultery is put ahead of murder. This is the law in reverse. From this, we conclude God considers adultery just as much of a grievious sin as murder. Look for a moment at the seriousness of this sin of adultery. David and Bethsheba- the effects of their sin never left David’s house.   2) Do not murder- murder is a terrible crime as well. Like those guilty of adultery, murders were to be put to death in the Old Testament (Gen. 9:6). The course of human history is stained by the blood of murders-Cain killed Abel, David murdered Uriah, Herod murdered John the Baptist, etc. However, God can forgive even a murderer (Rom 3:23 and Eph. 1:7). Again, to be guilty of one point in the law is to be guilty of all.

IV.                The judgment seat of Christ/rewards given by Christ- (Vs. 12) (12) Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,-- (I Cor. 3: 11-15), only Believers will be at this judgment and all Christians will be judged here for their works and motives behind them. This is not a judgment of salvation. Works will be judged. We are given fair warning in scripture that we shall give an account of our works. (Rom 14:12 and II Corith. 5:10).  The “law of freedom or law of liberty” here for the second time we see this term. Again, we believe this refers to the gospel which sets guilty men free of the power and penalty of any sin.(Rom 6:14). Christ lived a life of perfect liberty. Yet, He always obeyed the Father (John 5:30). This wasn’t bondage but freedom and liberty. Liberty doesn’t mean a license to sin.

V.                  Judgment with or without mercy (Vs. 13) (13) because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

--Luke 16:19-31- Judgment without mercy. Notice the rich man in this story showed no mercy on Lazarus. Joseh showed no mercy toward his brethren unti evidence of repentance (Gen. 42:21). Mercy was taken from the wicked servant who after being showed mercy, hand no mercy toward those under him (Mat. 18:23-35).

As God’s children, we are to possess a forgiving spirit, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy-Mat. 5:7. Finally, end of vs. 13, “Mercy triumphs over judgment or Rejoiceth against judgment. One who has shown mercy and lived Christ-like will lift up there head with joy at the judgment seat of Christ. What a thrill to hear Jesus say, Well done thou good and faithful servant; enter thou into the Joy of thy Lord”-Mat. 25:21.

The question tonight for all of us is just one---Beloved brother and sister in Christ, will you hear these words from Jesus “Well don thou good and faithful servant; enter thou into the Joy of thy Lord.” Only those who live obedient lives will experience Joy and rewards in heaven. May we all show mercy and serve Christ with our whole beings. To those who are trying to get to heaven on their own good works, remember to be guilty of one point of breaking Gods law is to be guilty of breaking all and separation from Christ if you have not accepted him has your Lord and Savior. EPH 2:8-9