Subscription Lists

Reason originates with God! Unlike how we sometimes view Him, God is not a God of randomness with illogical thoughts and deeds; He is a God of reasoned thought and deed. Our focus today will be on this fact as we view two verses that form the “heart” of James’ argument against partiality. “For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. For He who said, ‘Do not commit adultery,’ also said, ‘Do not murder.’ Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.” (James 2.10-11).

Each of the two verses quoted (above) begins with the same word in Greek and in English. In the Greek, the word is transliterated gar” in English it is simply our common word for. The word expresses cause or reason; it could just as easily be translated because. It is a word of logic and reason. The phrase that just preceded James 2.10 is this: “But if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.” (James 2.9). If we substitute the equivalent word because in place of the word for, we get a clear picture of James’ argument. The paragraph that follows makes this substitution and highlights the two words upon which we are presently focusing.

“But if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. Because [For] whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. Because [For] He who said, ‘Do not commit adultery,’ also said, ‘Do not murder.’ Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.” These statements make perfect sense when they are viewed in this way; they are perfectly logical! Why do those who show partiality commit sin? Because the Royal Law says to love your neighbor as yourself! Why is the sin of murder and the sin of adultery equal in the eyes of God? Because both murder and adultery are forbidden by one and the same Lawgiver, God Himself!

Fairness is a concept that is rooted in reason and logic; so is the concept of righteousness and judgment. If there is consistency in law and judgment, reason must be present. When reason is not present, randomness and the miscarriage of justice is sure to occur. The very fact that man can conceive of the idea of unfairness and unjust judgment is evidence that the opposite exists with God, namely fairness and justice. God is the ultimate author of these concepts and man is but the receiver of these gifts. It is not uncommon to hear people in civilized countries cry out against what they perceive to be unfair and/or unjust actions on the part of public officials or entities. Why are such claims common? Because we have within us an inane sense of fairness and justice; a miscarriage of the same strikes a discordant note and goes against our sense of right and wrong. Why is this the case? Because God, our Creator, ultimately defines right and wrong, justice and injustice, fairness and unfairness!

Now, back to James’ argument. Question: Who said “Don’t murder?” Answer: The same authority who said, “Don’t commit adultery!” Question: What are people who commit adultery? Answer: Transgressors! Question: What are people who commit murder? Answer: Transgressors! So in the absolute sense, what is the difference? There is no difference because the murderer and the adulterer took it upon themselves to demote God from the throne of judgment and mercy and to promote themselves to that position. Now put partiality in the mix! The same answer prevails! The murderer, the adulterer, and the man of partial thoughts demotes God and promotes himself to a place of undeserved authority. God is the very epitome of reason; injustice ensues when man occupies God’s throne!

Questions:

1. What does the word “for” mean in James 2.9-10?

2. Upon what basis can man legitimately cry out against injustice and unfair practices? How can such a concept exist? Is it a real or an imagined concept? If real, from whence did it come?

3. Who it the ONE lawgiver (hint: see James 4.12)?

4. When God is on His throne, what will occur regarding justice and mercy? When God is unseated, what happens to justice and mercy? What has this to do with the Royal Law?

"Inspiration For You" from Randy Mitchell

Watching Your Dollars Fly Away