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"The perfect law of liberty..."

Text: James 1:25

THE BLESSINGS OF GOD

James was not critically negative in his writing. He points out the weaknesses of the hearer. But he also applauds the person who is a doer and not a hearer.

“But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty
and continues in it,
and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work,
this one will be blessed in what he does.”
James 1:25

1. “He who looks”

a) The word of God was called a mirror upon which one looks (James 1:23).

b) The idea of the mirror applies (but it is not stated expressly).

2. “The perfect law of liberty”

a) The Word of God is more than just a mirror.

b) It is rightly called “the perfect law” (Psalm 19:7-11).

c) James made one more observation about the perfect law:

i) The law sets one at liberty.

ii) This liberty was promised by the Lord Jesus (John 8:32, 36).

iii) Paul defended this liberty that believers have in Christ (Galatians 5:1).

3. “And continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer”

a) Again, a contrast is made between the hearer and the doer.

b) The hearer forgets.

c) The doer does not forget but continues to abide in the word that he has been taught.

4. “A doer of the work”

a) The doer after reading and understanding the Word of God knows that there is work to be done.

b) He now devotes time to do that work that needs his attention.

5. “This one will be blessed in what he does”

a) This is reminiscent of Psalm 1.

b) The reader of God’s word puts into practice what he understands.

c) God blesses the work of the man who does works of righteousness (see also Psalm 112).

d) The blessings of God express His approval.

e) But these blessings are not promised to those who are mere hearers.