8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well; 9 but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.11 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 2:8-11
The Apostle continues to preach against partiality by taking the reader back to the “royal law”—“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 10:27) Love for others requires the practice of justice and fairness. One cannot be a Christ-honoring Believer and practice favoritism. To do so would cause one to disobey and eschew the law of Christ.
James teaches another powerful truth in verses 10 and 11. In those stanzas, Christians are taught that breaking one commandment makes them guilty of breaking the whole law. The one, true God who commands against adultery also commands against murder. The same Law-Giver who prohibits idolatry also prohibits covetousness. Breaking one command of God’s Word makes humans guilty of ignoring all the precepts in the sight of the Almighty.
Thankfully, there was one who kept the Law of God perfectly. Christ Jesus kept the Law, fulfilled the Law, and was perfectly obedient to the Father. The Spotless Lamb died in the place of sinful humans and paid the debt of sin and the price of sin in His atoning work on the cross. He was raised to life the third day so that all who believe may be forgiven and receive the imputed righteousness of Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:21)
Believe in Jesus today. He is your only hope of salvation. (Acts 4:32) Christ saves without partiality. Call upon Him today.
Tony French
mrtonyfrench 