The Law of Liberty

​Reflections Sunday 5 September 2021

Scripture Reading: James 2:1-17

James 2:12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty.

Martin Luther called the book of James ‘a letter of straw’, which easily fails when tested by fire.  Luther claimed that James focused on the law in comparison to most other books in the New Testament which focused on the death and resurrection of Jesus. Luther relegated four books to a second tier of the New Testament; along with James, he included Hebrews, Jude and Revelation.

Yet for me, after the Gospels and Acts, James is my favourite book in the New Testament. I find it the most down to earth and practical. James’ theology is grounded in the practical living out of one’s faith. It is focused on the here and now and how we relate to one another: how we love one another. James’ focus was not on keeping the Old Testament law but on the ‘royal’ law of love (you shall love your neighbour as yourself) or the law of liberty which is about freedom. Neither was he advocating ‘works’ over faith but that faith without works is a dead faith or no faith at all. The works James spoke of were evidence of a changed or transformed life.

James challenges a congregation to examine whether they show favouritism towards some and prejudice towards others, making distinctions between people, favouring the rich and judging people who are poor on their appearance. James names this partiality as sin.

James’ great understanding of the good news is that mercy always triumphs over judgement. Those who speak and act under the law of liberty speak and act with mercy and kindness. Their faith is lived out in love. They know a merciful God and act in the same way. These are the works of God.

Many Christians have an intellectual understanding of the gospel. Our gospel can become a barrier between us and the mystery and wonder of God or worse we begin to put ourselves in the place of God, making judgements about people, rather than seeing all people, indeed all creation, as equal.  In humility and mercy life is truly found.

​A Meditation - Birdsong – A short lesson in listening - Seventeen seconds on bush and birdsong.

birdsong_17_seconds.mp4
File Size:	6979 kb
File Type:	mp4

Download File

---

A Question – When you have become aware that you are treating someone with partiality, what was the outcome that this awareness produced in you?

A Prayer – Giver of the law of liberty, forgive us for when we have shown favouritism towards some and made judgements about others based on their appearance, race, skin colour, religion, ability, education, gender, orientation or any other way in which we show partiality. May we be champions of mercy and may our faith blossom in acts of kindness. Amen.

A Quote – ‘Happy the one …who finds the faith that sweetly works by love’ Charles Wesley

And finally.. a song for all going who feel they are going through thick fog in their lives at the moment.
‘Into the mystic’ by Van Morrison ​