The Perfect Law of Liberty

In this lesson, we complete James' look at the hearer and the doer. In contrast to the one who hears the word, but does not receive it, the doer has approached the word rightly-in genuine faith-and has received it by God's grace. The implanted word has done a work in the heart of this believer and has enabled him to freely do the word of truth in accordance with his profession of faith.

We discuss the purpose for James using the phrase "perfect law" or "law of liberty" instead of continuing to use "word", "word of truth" or "implanted word". This was to highlight the function of the word to command our thoughts and behaviors. The reason this law is a law of freedom and not bondage is because the law not only commands thought and action, but when received humbly, performs the work to transform the heart of man to then be able to walk in obedience to it.

Verses 26-27 James sets the tone for the rest of the letter as he outlines religion that is worthless in the eyes of God and religion that is pure and undefiled. This is a similar point to that made in v23-25. The man in v26 has deceived himself and has not received the word. His acts of "worship" are motivated from the outside and not from the work of the word. This religion-these acts of worship-are worthless.

The product of receiving the word of truth humbly by faith is worship of God that is acceptable to him. Examples of this worship (not an exhaustive list) is to be merciful to those who are in need and to live a life characterized by righteousness (the goal of the work of the word that we discussed back in chapter 1:20.