Can you explain the "perfect law of liberty"?
Introduction. James wrote: "But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed" (Jas. 1: 25).
Law and liberty are not mutually exclusive. As a rule, denominationalists believe and teach that we are under a system of grace and liberty today. Hence, obedience to law is not required in order to be saved. We are in fact under grace and liberty (Eph. 2: 8, 9; Jas. 1: 25); however, obedience to law is required (Heb. 5: 8, 9). Actually, we are under law (not "the law," Mosaic Code), "law to Christ" (1 Cor. 9: 21). Therefore, we read of "the law of Christ" (Gal. 6: 2). Reflective of law, Jesus asked the question, "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" (Luke 6: 46). Also, "If ye love me, keep my commandments" (John 14: 15; cf. 1 John 5: 3).
We are not simply under law. The essential difference between the Jew under the Law of Moses and the Christian under the law of Christ is that the only way for the Jew to have been justified, in the absence of grace (John 1: 17), was flawless obedience (earning salvation, Rom. 4: 1-8; 11: 6). We cannot merit our salvation because "all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Rom 3: 23). Hence, grace offers the means we need to supplement, if you will, our obedience (Tit. 3: 5).
Christ's law is a perfect law of liberty. It is perfect or complete in that it is a system which contains laws and commandments which are not grievous, and yet, it is a system of grace and liberty (1 John 5: 3; Gal, 5: 1-13). We have liberty from sin when we obey it (Acts 2: 38; Rom. 6: 1-12). Christ's system is the ideal combination of law and liberty. Also, Christ's law does not contain the onerous requirements as did Moses' law (Gal. 4: 5).
Law and liberty are not mutually exclusive. As a rule, denominationalists believe and teach that we are under a system of grace and liberty today. Hence, obedience to law is not required in order to be saved. We are in fact under grace and liberty (Eph. 2: 8, 9; Jas. 1: 25); however, obedience to law is required (Heb. 5: 8, 9). Actually, we are under law (not "the law," Mosaic Code), "law to Christ" (1 Cor. 9: 21). Therefore, we read of "the law of Christ" (Gal. 6: 2). Reflective of law, Jesus asked the question, "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" (Luke 6: 46). Also, "If ye love me, keep my commandments" (John 14: 15; cf. 1 John 5: 3).
We are not simply under law. The essential difference between the Jew under the Law of Moses and the Christian under the law of Christ is that the only way for the Jew to have been justified, in the absence of grace (John 1: 17), was flawless obedience (earning salvation, Rom. 4: 1-8; 11: 6). We cannot merit our salvation because "all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Rom 3: 23). Hence, grace offers the means we need to supplement, if you will, our obedience (Tit. 3: 5).
Christ's law is a perfect law of liberty. It is perfect or complete in that it is a system which contains laws and commandments which are not grievous, and yet, it is a system of grace and liberty (1 John 5: 3; Gal, 5: 1-13). We have liberty from sin when we obey it (Acts 2: 38; Rom. 6: 1-12). Christ's system is the ideal combination of law and liberty. Also, Christ's law does not contain the onerous requirements as did Moses' law (Gal. 4: 5).