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Today's Little Lift
by Jim Bullington
“If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ you do well; but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.” (James 2.8-9).
Jesus did not come to destroy the Law; He came to fulfill it (see Matthew 5.17). In other words, He came to live it perfectly, an example of holiness that can never be repeated. In that same way, believers have the capacity to “…really fulfill the royal law.” Not that we will or can live it perfectly, but we can certainly live in such a manner so as to make its intentions a reality to everyone about us. But what is this “royal law” of which James speaks? What does this unique phrase mean?
As we begin to consider the meaning of “the royal law” let it first be observed that this phrase is not to be found anywhere else in the New Testament. In fact, there is no other verse in the New Testament that contains both the words “law” and “royal.” Truly this is a unique phrase. The word “royal” means “…of or belong[ing] to a king, kingly, royal, regal kingly.” (On-Line Bible Greek Lexicon). To illustrate the richness of this word, we can look back at Herod when he appeared before the people of Tyre and Sidon and gave an ostentatious and flamboyant speech; in order to be properly dressed for the occasion, Luke wrote: “So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them. And the people kept shouting, ‘The voice of a god and not of a man!’” (Acts 12.21-22; emphasis mine, jb). So the “royal law” is a law of great and glorious import as the context will bear out.
James went on to say that when the “royal law” is really fulfilled, we will “love our neighbors as ourselves.” This command was originally written in Leviticus 19.18, but its significance was amplified when Jesus identified this very concept (i.e. loving ones neighbor as ones self) as the second greatest commandment (Matthew 22.39). This commandment when coupled with the commandment to love God supremely becomes the basis upon which the entirety of the Law and the Prophets hang (See Matthew 22.40)! This law to love our neighbor was further by Jesus when He taught the parable of the Good Samaritan; specifically Jesus taught that our neighbor is anyone whom we are capable of helping. The totality of the meaning of the Royal Law is extraordinarily far reaching; it touches every corner of our life and governs every relationship which we have with any other human being!
Fulfilling the royal law is put in stark contrast with another way of life; “But if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.” As we sometimes used to say where I came from, “He surely didn’t stutter did he?” James called partiality what it was! It is not a social disease, it is not a cultural oddity, it is not a lapse of manners or judgment; it is sin! People who die guilty before God of sin, will be lost eternally. That being said then, partiality is a practice which can damn one’s soul to eternal punishment! It is not a light thing to be winked at or ignored; it is a cancer which eats at the souls of men just like any other violation of God’s great law!
To be convicted is bad. To be convicted lawfully is worse. To be convicted justly and deservedly by God’s law is the worst of all fates. Do you know anyone who is partial? To ask the question is to answer it? Are you ever partial? I fear that for most of us, honesty would demand an affirmative response to this question! “Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all!”
Questions:
1. What is the relationship of the royal law with the command to love our neighbors as ourselves?.
2. Is it possible to love our neighbor as God would have us to and fail to fulfill the royal law?
3. If we show partiality, what is our status before God?
4. If I fear God and keep His commandments, can I hate my neighbor, be partial to the detriment of my neighbor, or otherwise violate the “golden rule” (see Matthew 7.12)?
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