Fulfilling the royal law

If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. ⁹ But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. ¹⁰ For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. ¹¹ For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. ¹² So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. ¹³ For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

James 2:8–13

God the Father, the King of heaven, has given us a royal command in two parts: to love him more than anyone and anything, and to love others as we love ourselves. It’s an absolute command. Loving personal success, disrespecting a waiter, or coveting a scarf means we have broken the entire law. If we sin by showing partiality, then we have a different social standard from our King’s. In that case, we don’t consider ourselves equals with some of the brothers of Christ. And if that’s true, then we probably don’t consider ourselves the King’s bondservants either.

Questions

• How do you describe loving your neighbor as yourself? What are other words for this kind of love?
• Would you call yourself a merciful person? Why or why not?
• Have you ever been hurt by someone’s prejudice?

Prayer

Our Father in heaven, we praise you for your wisdom and loving kindness. You are marvelous and patient, powerful and gentle. We know of your steadfast love for us, but we have trouble loving each other. We are often selfish and our mercy only goes so far. But you have called us out of darkness into a marvelous light. You have given us wisdom in your Word. By your Spirit, we can live as peacemakers in this world, looking for the day of your glorious return. For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever.

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