James 1:25

'But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become. forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man shall be blessed in what he does.'

'But' -in contrast to the above mere listener, this is the type of person all of us can become.

'looks intently' -'to stoop to. thing in order to look at it, to look at with head bowed forwards; to look into with the body bent---metaph., to look carefully into, inspect curiously (Thayer p. 484) Compare with John 20:5; John 20:11; 1 Peter 1:12. This suggests that careful study of the Word of God is necessary so that one knows what to "do" (2 Timothy 2:15).

'perfect' -'having reached its end, finished' (Vine p. 173). 'brought to its end, finished, wanting in nothing necessary to completeness' (Thayer p. 618); 'having attained the end or purpose, complete' (Arndt p. 809). In other places the Word of God, the New Testament revelation is called "perfect" (Romans 12:2; 1 Corinthians 13:10).

Points To Note:

1. First of all it needs to be noted that God calls the New Testament,. "law" (Hebrews 8:10; Hebrews 7:12; Galatians 6:2). We must reject the idea that the New Covenant is all "grace" with no rules. 2. The New Testament is called. "perfect" law, because: A. It is the final revelation of God to mankind (Hebrews 1:1; Judges 1:3). It is complete, needing no further revelation to finish what it started. B. It makes man "complete" (2 Timothy 3:16), it enables. man or woman to stand before God and be all they need to be. C. It is the fulfillment of the Mosaic law. D. It gives mankind all that man needs to have. relationship with God and his fellowman (2 Peter 1:3). E. It prepares us perfectly for eternal life.

'the law of liberty' -to many people this phrase sounds like. contradiction, because many people have been deceived into thinking that true liberty or freedom means. complete absence of rules. But as many of us grow up and mature we realize that such is very naïve. Take away the rules and we would lose our rights, instead of gaining more rights. Freedom is not the result when all the moral standards are torn down-but the result is anarchy, oppression and fear. The New Testament is called law because it does contain commands that must be obeyed (John 14:15). 'To speak of God's Word as "law" is not to pit James against Paul, for Paul often used this sort of terminology…(Galatians 6:2; Romans 3:27; Romans 8:2).' (Kent p. 68).

Points To Note:

The New Testament is called. law of liberty because: A. Enables us to be freed from sin (John 8:31). B. Freedom from the law of Moses (Galatians 5:1). C. The teaching in this law frees us from prejudice, superstition, the fear of death (Hebrews 2:15), worry, anxiety, stress and so on (Matthew 6:25). As we will read the rest of this letter, it is clear that James was not arguing that the Christian is freed is do whatever they like (James 3:1; James 4:4; James 5:13). "Men are free when they want to do what they ought to do" (Kent p. 69). D. It also frees us from human opinion, endless speculation, old wives fables, myths, false science and philosophy (Colossians 2:4; 2 Timothy 4:3; 1 Timothy 6:20). In obeying Christ,. find true liberty, especially liberty from my own selfish desires (Galatians 2:20; 2 Corinthians 5:14). In addition, in view of the great love which God manifested towards me (John 3:16), bringing myself into conformity with this His law is not. burden, but. pleasure (1 John 5:3).

'and abides by it' -which infers that the gospel is. message that all can understand alike and what is requires is not impossible.. can abide by the will of God-what an encouraging thought! The word "abides" means: 'to remain beside, continue always near'(Thayer p. 485). It is not enough to admire this law or sing its praises, one must obey it. We must also reject the idea that God does the abiding for us. The whole thrust of this section is the responsibility and choice that rests with the individual Christian. To abide in this word also involves not adding our own opinions to the message and not editing what we might not like (2 John 1:9; Revelation 22:18). Abiding in the word means that we need to find what God says to be pleasant and sweet (Psalms 19:10). We need to develop. 'taste' for the truth, even truth that requires us to change.

'not having become. forgetful hearer' -'not listening to it and then forgetting it' (TCNT). Notice the word "become". We can through carelessness "become". person who fails to apply what God has said.

'but an effectual doer' -That is, we "do" something with the message, we apply it, we live it, we share it with others.

'this man' -this man, and this man alone is the individual that God will bless. God never promises blessings to the disobedient (Matthew 7:24).

'shall be blessed in what he does' -'in his practice' (Ber). The word "blessed" means: 'fortunate, usually in the sense of privileged recipient of divine favor' (Arndt p. 486). Jesus stated the same truth, 'blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it' (Luke 11:28; see also Luke 12:43; John 13:17). Carefully note that Jesus and James do not make fun of those who think that obedience is necessary. Check out the following passages (Psalms 19:9; Psalms 106:3; Psalms 119:2; Revelation 22:7). We know that future blessings exist for the obedient, but this verse also seems to imply that blessings come upon the obedient even in this life, that God will open doors for the person who is trying to do His will (Revelation 3:8).

Point To Note:

Sadly,. believe that many Christians have convinced themselves that obedience to the Word of God actually prevents them from being blessed. That "doctrine" so often comes between. person and being successful or having success in teaching others. God doesn't agree.