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I. THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST, HERE COMPARED TO A LOOKING-GLASS, IS ALWAYS BEFORE THE EYES OF THE CHRISTIAN, AND IS CALLED "THE PERFECT LAW OF LIBERTY."

1. By this glass the soul discovers its filthiness (John 16:8, 9).

2. This points him to Christ for cleansing (1 John 1:7).

3. This shows him his perfect purification (Hebrews 10:14).

4. And freedom from condemnation (Romans 8:1).

5. Hence the gospel is called a law (Romans 3:27).

(1)  It is perfect (Psalm 19:7).

(2)  It is the law of liberty from sin, Satan, the world, death, hell; to love, know, enjoy, and believe in God (Romans 8:21).

II. THE BELIEVER'S CONDUCT IN RESPECT OF THIS GOSPEL LAW. He "looketh into it."

1. He has now spiritual eyes to see (Isaiah 29:18).

2. To look is to understand (1 Peter 1:12).

3. To look is to believe (Isaiah 45:22).

4. To look is to expect (Psalm 123:2).

5. By metaphorical usage, it denotes to look into by way of examination: and by implication, to comprehend. Hence, believers look —

(1)  Diligently.

(2)  Anxiously.

(3)  Constantly.

(4)  Prayerfully.

(5)  And with faith in Christ.

III. His PERSEVERANCE AFTER DIVINE KNOWLEDGE. "And continueth therein."

1. God has pledged the grace of continuance (Jeremiah 32:40).

2. The believer desires to continue (Psalm 17:8).

3. The Scriptures exhort to continuance (Hebrews 13:9).

4. The gospel is a means of continuance (2 Corinthians 4:7).

5. Through this glass he continues to look unto Christ, and is saved (John 15:9).

IV. THE INDIVIDUAL CONSEQUENCE OF UNDERSTANDING THE GOSPEL. "He being not a forgetful hearer," &c.

1. Being conscious of his weak memory, he prays for the Spirit as his Remembrancer (John 14:26).

2. And of his wavering heart, that the gospel may be written therein (Psalm 119:80).

3. He is a doer of the work of faith and love (1 Thessalonians 1:3).

4. It is not man's, but God's work (John 6:38).

5. It is not performed by man's but God's strength (Philippians 4:13).

6. It is done to Christ's glory (Romans 11:36).

V. THE RESULTS OF BELIEVING THE GOSPEL. "This man shall be blessed in his deed."

1. Not for what he does, but in what he does (Psalm 19:11).

2. He shall be blessed providentially (Romans 8:28).

3. He shall be blessed graciously (Psalm 132:15).

4. It also denotes that the Christian shall be blessed with —

(1)  A knowledge of himself.

(2)  A knowledge of God.

(3)  A knowledge of His Word.

(4)  A knowledge of salvation.

(5)  The fulfilment of the promises.

(6)  Deliverance from enemies.

(7)  Support in difficulties.

(8)  Joy in death.

(9)  Everlasting glory of both soul and body in the life to come.

(T. B. Baker.)

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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.

WEB: But he who looks into the perfect law of freedom, and continues, not being a hearer who forgets, but a doer of the work, this man will be blessed in what he does.