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… I. THE GOSPEL IS A LAW. The gospel may be called a law, because everything that concurreth to the right constitution and making of a law is found in the gospel; as — 1. Equity. All precepts of the gospel are just and equitable (Romans 7:12). 2. Promulgation, which is the life and form of a law (Mark 16:15; Isaiah 61:1). 3. The author, God; who has a right to prescribe to the creature (1 Timothy 1:11). 4. The end, public good; and the end of the gospel is salvation (Romans 1:16). 5. By this law we must walk (Galatians 6:16; Isaiah 8:20; Romans 2:16). II. A LAW OF LIBERTY. 1. Because it teacheth the way to true liberty (John 8:36; Romans 6:18). 2. The bond of obedience, that is laid on us in the gospel, is perfect freedom. (1) The matter. Duty is the greatest liberty, and sin the greatest bondage (Psalm 119:45, 2 Peter 2:19). (2) We do it upon free principles (Romans 12:1; Titus 2:12). (3) We have the assistance of a free Spirit (Psalm 51:12). (4) We do it in a free state (Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:31; Luke 1:74). III. A PERFECT LAW OF LIBERTY. 1. When compared with the law of Moses (Hebrews 10:1, 2). 2. It directs us to the greatest perfection (1 John 4:18). 3. Because it is pure, free from error (Psalm 119:140). And, lastly, because it maketh perfect (Psalm 19:7). IV. "WHOSO LOOKETH." 1. Deepness of meditation (Psalm 119:97). 2. Diligence of inquiry (Proverbs 2:3, 4). 3. Liveliness of impression (2 Corinthians 3:18). As Moses's face shone by talking with God; and we, by conversing with the Word, carry away the beauty and glory of it in our spirits. V. AND CONTINUETH THEREIN; i.e. persevereth (John 8:31; 2 John 9). He being not a forgetful hearer, but remembereth, so as to reduce to practice; vers. 23, 24. (Proverbs 4:20, 21; Luke 2:19); a doer of the work. The gospel was not ordained only for speculation (Matthew 3:8; John 6:29; Hebrews 6:10). The apostle speaks of "a form of knowledge" (Romans 2:20). Let not the tree of knowledge deprive us of the tree of life. Work the works of God: faith is our work, repentance our business, and the life of love and praise our duty. "This man shall be blessed in his deed," alluding to Psalm 1:3; in his deed, net for it (Psalm 19:11). He shall be blessed here with peace (Galatians 6:16), and hereafter with eternal happiness (Revelation 22:14). (T. Hannam.) 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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