The Perfect Law Of Liberty

"He who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does." (1)

James considered the Law of God to be the "perfect law of liberty." Liberty and freedom go hand in hand. Jesus said, "If the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed... If you love Me, keep My commandments." (2) What does freedom and liberty have to do with keeping God's commandments?

Paul admonished, "Stand fast - in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage... For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." (3) And then Paul talks about the "works of the flesh" and lists works that are forbidden by the law of God. Then he compares the works of the flesh with the fruits of the Spirit against which, he says, there is no law. (4)

The Law of God is God's standard that leads us to freedom. Paul stated, "The law was our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For you are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus." (5). Jesus fulfilled the law perfectly. "The law of the Lord is perfect." (6) And God's Spirit leads us in accordance with His standards.

This perfect law, like a schoolmaster or a tutor, teaches us the ways of God. When Jesus came, He modeled for us the way of life. He is "the way, the truth, and the life." (7) He is the One who gives us freedom and liberty, based on His "perfect law of liberty."

However, the law cannot save us. It is a standard engraved on stone. His promise to us is "I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in My statutes and keep My judgments and do them; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God. But as for those whose hearts follow the desire for their detestable things and their abominations, I will recompense their deeds on their own heads." (8)

With God, there is no confusion. His ways are just and pure and good. His standards and principles are for our benefit and safety. In Christ there is safety, liberty and freedom. May you experience His love and freedom!

1. James 1:25.
2. John 8:36; 14:15.
3. Galatians 5:1, 13.
4. Galatians 5:23.
5. Galatians 3:24-26, KJV.
6. Psalms 19:70.
7. John 14:6.
8. Ezekiel 11:19-21.