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Daily Devotions

James

James 
Day 
Day 27

"A transgressor of the law."

Text: James 2:11

THE LAWS OF GOD

The Laws of God are wonderfully summarised in the Ten Commandments. James was, of course, familiar with these Laws. He cited two of them with insightful comments.

“For He who said, ‘Do not commit adultery,’
also said, ‘Do not murder.’
Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder,
you have become a transgressor of the law.”
James 2:11

1. “He who said”

a) This is a reference to the Giver of the Law.
b) This is the LORD God who gave the Ten Commandments to Israel through Moses.

2. Two Commandments cited

a) “Do not commit adultery”
b) “Do not murder”

3. These were cited:

a) As examples.
b) The other laws are to be borne in mind.

4. If one commandment is kept but another broken

a) The individual is still classified as a “transgressor of the law”.
b) The person is still adjudged guilty of breaking the law of God.

UNDERSTANDING THE LAW OF GOD

James sought to explain how the Law of God works. This is to clear up any confusion that may have arisen through different interpretations of the Law.

1. The Laws of God

a) They were meant to be kept perfectly.
b) One cannot think that he is religious and is keeping the law of God if he kept some laws and broke others.

2. The issue at stake in this context

a) The person who does not bridle his tongue.
b) The person who shows partiality.
c) Even if they kept other laws diligently, they would still be adjudged “transgressors of the law”.
d) There is no escaping the full reach of the Law of God.