James 1:25 But whoever looks into the perfect law of liberty, and continues therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work… 1. We should with all seriousness and earnestness apply ourselves to the knowledge of the gospel. Jewels do not lie upon the surface; you must get into the caverns and dark receptacles of the earth for them. No more do truths lie in the surface or outside of an expression. The beauty and glory of the Scriptures is within, and must be fetched out with much study and prayer. A glance cannot discover the worth of anything to us. He that doth but cast his eye upon a piece of embroidery cloth not discern the curiousness and the art of it. So to know Christ in the bulk doth not work half so kindly with us as when we search out the breadth, and the depth, and the length, the exact dimensions of His love to us. 2. The gospel is a law, according to which — (1) Your lives must be conformed (Galatians 6:16). (2) All controversies and doctrines must be decided (Isaiah 8:20). (3) Your estates must be judged (Romans 2:16). 3. The Word of God is a perfect law. (1) It maketh perfect. (2) It directeth us to the greatest perfection, to God blessed for ever, to the righteousness of Christ, to perfect communion with God in glory. (3) It concerneth the whole man, and hath a force upon the conscience: men go no further than outward obedience; but "the law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul" (Psalm 19:7). It is not a lame, defective rule; besides outward observances, there is somewhat for the soul. (4) It is a perfect law, because of the invariable tenor of it; it needeth not to be changed, but is always like itself: as we say, that is a perfect rule that needeth no amendment. (5) It is pure, and free from error. There are no laws of men but there are some blemish in them. (6) Because it is a sufficient rule. Christ hath been "faithful in all His house," in all the appointments of it. Whatever is necessary for knowledge, for regulating of life and worship, for confirmation of true doctrines, for confutation of false, it is all in the Word "That the man of God may be perfectly furnished unto every good work" (2 Timothy 3:17). Well, then — (1) Prize the Word. We love what is perfect. (2) Suffer nothing to be added to it: "Ye shall not add to the Word which I command you." So the whole Bible is concluded (Revelation 22:18). 4. That the gospel, or Word of God, is a "law of liberty." As it is a perfect, so it is a free law. So it is in divers respects. (1) Because it teacheth the way to true liberty, and freedom from sin, wrath, death (John 8:36). There is no state so free as that which we enjoy by the gospel. (2) The bond of obedience that is laid upon us is in deed and in truth a perfect freedom.For — 1. The matter itself of our obedience is freedom. 2. We do it upon free principles. 3. We have the help of a free Spirit. 4. We do it in a state of freedom. Well, then, consider whether you be under a law of liberty, yea or no. To this end — (1) Ask your souls, which is a bondage to you, sin or duty? When you do complain of the yoke, what is grievous to you, the commandment or the transgression? (2) When you do duty, what is the weight that poiseth your spirits to it? Your warrant is the command; but your poise and weight should be love. (3) What is your strength for duty — reason or the assistance of the free Spirit? When our dependence is on Christ, our tendency is to Him. (4) Would you have the work accepted for its own sake, or your persons accepted for Christ's side? It is an ill sign when a man's thoughts run more upon the property and quality of the work than upon the propriety and interest of his person. 5. From that "and abideth therein." This commendeth our knowledge of and affection to the Word, to con-throe in it. Hypocrites have a taste; some men's hearts burn under the ordinances, but all is lost and drowned in the world again "If ye continue ill the Word, then are ye My disciples indeed" (John 8:31). There may be good flashes for the present, but Christ saith, "If ye continue," if ye ripen them to good affections. So 2 John 9. 6. From that "being not a forgetful hearer." Helps to memory — (1) Attention. Men remember what they heed and regard. (2) Affection. An old man will not forget where he laid his bag of gold. (3) Application and appropriation of truths. We will remember that which concerns ourselves. (4) Meditation, and holy care to cover the Word, that it be not snatched from us by vain thoughts. (5) Observation of the accomplishment of truths. (6) Practise what you hear (Psalm 119:93). (7) Commit it to the Spirit's keeping and charge (John 14:26). 7. From that "he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer." Sin cometh for want of remembering: forgetful hearers are negligent (Psalm 103:18). There are some truths that are of a general use and benefit; others that serve for some cases and seasons. In the general, hide the whole Word in your heart, that ye may have a fresh truth to check sin in every temptation (Psalm 119:11). "Remember and forget not how thou provokedst the Lord thy God in the wilderness" (Deuteronomy 9:7). Labour thus to get a present ready memory, that will urge truths in the season when they do concern us. 8. From that "but a doer of the work." The Word layeth out work for us. 9. From that "shall be blessed in his deed." There is a blessedness annexed to the doing of the work of the Word; not for the work's sake, but out of the mercy of God. See, then, that you hear so that you come within the compass of the blessing; the blessing is usually pronounced at the time of your addresses to God in this worship. (T. Manton.) Parallel Verses KJV: But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. |
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