The Royal Law – Law of Freedom
8 If, however, you are fulfilling th ]royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. 9 But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the Law as violators. 10 For whoever keeps the whole Law, yet stumbles in one point, has become 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 do murder, you have become a violator of the Law. 12 So speak, and so act, as those who are to be judged by the law of freedom. 13 For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy [b]triumphs over judgment. James 2:8-13
James refers to God’s laws as the “royal” law – he recognizes God as King and His principles as the laws of the Kingdom of heaven. This law gives freedom when we live it out but also serves as the standard of judgement when we break them. But the law is not just an arbitrary or draconian set of rules. The law is based on God’s character of love:
Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments. Matthew 22:36-40
Jesus wasn’t making up a new law – He was quoting an old one (Leviticus 19:18). But He lived out the law as no one had before – He loved humanity unto death and showed us what true fulfilment of the law look like.
Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. 9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. Romans 13:8-10
The lawyer who questioned Jesus wanted to do the least amount necessary for salvation and wanted a narrow definition of love (“And who is my neighbor?” Luke 10:29). But Jesus told the parable of the Good Samaritan (c.f. Luke 10:25-27) and described a man who should have practiced favoritism because he was a Samaritan who were enemies of the Jews, but instead he showed incredible kindness to a stranger lying on the road. Two other men who should have been neighborly towards their fellow countryman used the law as an excuse for not helping this victim.
Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” Jesus asked. 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise. Luke 10:36,36
Another term used is the ‘law of Christ’. Paul connects burden bearing with fulfilling the law of Christ. See: Gal. 5:14, 6:2; Jn. 13:34; Matt. 22:34-40.
Paul’s use of the phrase “the law of Christ” (ton nomon tou Christou) occurs nowhere else in the Bible, though he uses a similar expression in 1 Corinthians 9:21 (ennomos Christou).
The uniqueness of this phrase has resulted in a number of different interpretations. Some mistakenly argue that this is evidence that the law of God given at Sinai has been replaced by a different law, the law of Christ. Others claim the word law simply means a general “principle” (see Rom. 7:21), meaning that in bearing the burdens of others, we are following the example of Jesus. While the latter interpretation has some merit, the context and similar terminology with Galatians 5:14 suggest that “fulfilling the law of Christ” is another reference to fulfilling the moral law through love.
Paul showed earlier in his letter that the moral law was not annulled with the coming of Christ. Instead, the moral law interpreted by love continues to play an important role in the Christian life. This is the epitome of what Jesus taught during His earthly ministry and also practiced throughout His life and even in His death. In bearing the burdens of others, we are not only following in the footsteps of Jesus, we are also fulfilling the law.
Another issue arises in these texts, the apparent contradiction between Galatians 6:2 and Galatians 6:5, is easily resolved when one realizes that Paul is using two different words to describe two different situations. As we have already seen, the word for burden in verse 2 (baros) refers to a heavy load that has to be carried for a long distance. The word phortion in verse 5, however, refers to a ship’s cargo, a soldier’s backpack, or even a child in the womb. Whereas the former burdens can be laid aside, the latter cannot. A pregnant mother must carry her own child. As this example suggests, there are some burdens that people can help us bear but others that no human can bear for us, such as the burden of a guilty conscience, suffering, and death. For these, we must rely on God’s help alone (Matt. 11:28-30).
Principles of God in the Ten Commandments
The great principles of God’s law are embodied in the Ten Commandments and exemplified in the life of Christ. They express God’s love, will, and purposes concerning human conduct and relationships and are binding upon all people in every age. These precepts are the basis of God’s covenant with His people and the standard in God’s judgment. Through the agency of the Holy Spirit they point out sin and awaken a sense of need for a Saviour. Salvation is all of grace and not of works, but its fruitage is obedience to the Commandments. This obedience develops Christian character and results in a sense of well-being. It is evidence of our love for the Lord and our concern for our fellow men. The obedience of faith demonstrates the power of Christ to transform lives, and therefore strengthens Christian witness. The great principles of God’s law of love are embodied in the Ten Commandments. While the ceremonial and sacrificial laws of the Old Testament were fulfilled by the death of Jesus Christ, the 10 commandments are held to remain in force for Christian believers. Matthew 5:17-20.
Christ Object Lessons page 128 “No man can rightly present the law of God without the Gospel, or the gospel without the law. The law is the gospel embodied, and the gospel is the law unfolded. The law is the root, the gospel is the fragrant blossom and fruit which it bears.”
We see that these terms: law of God, law of Christ, ten commandments, royal law, and law of freedom are interchangeable terms for the law is love. They are all the same law.
The law of love is for everyone, Jew and Gentile, it is for all nations…all people Isaiah 56:6-7. In its entirety we identify that God and His Law have the same characteristics. We can no more remove or change the law of God than we could remove or change the character of God. See the table below for a comparison of the character of God to the character of the law.
| Characteristic | Character of God | Character of the Law |
| JUST | Romans 3:26 | Romans 7:2 |
| TRUE | John 3:33 | Neh. 9:13 |
| PURE | 1 Jhon 3:3 | Ps. 19:7-8 |
| LIGHT | 1 John 1:5 | Proverbs 6:23 |
| FAITHFUL | 1 Corinthians 1:9 | Ps. 119:86 |
| GOOD | Nahum 1:7 | Romans 12:7,16 |
| SPIRITUAL | 1 Corinthians 10:1-4 | Romans 7:14 |
| HOLY | Isa. 6:3, 1 Peter 1:15 | Exodus 20:8, Romans 7:12 |
| TRUTH | John 14:6 | Ps. 119:142,151 |
| LIFE | 1 John 14:6 | John 12:50, Matt. 19:17 |
| RIGHTEOUSNESS | Jeremiah 23:6 | Ps. 119:172 |
| PERFECT | Matt. 5:48, Heb. 13:8 | Ps. 19:7, James 1:26 |
| FOREVER | John 8:35, Heb. 13:8 | Ps. 111:8, Luke 16:17 |
It is IMPOSSIBLE to separate the law from the character of God. The results of mercy and the promise of salvation, manifest a love for truth, allegiance, obedience, and fruit. The sanctifying process leads us back to the ‘image bearers’ we were created to be. Being an ‘image bearer’ requires us to reflect the character of God…so, it is impossible to negate or change the law. Like Daniel, we are to purpose in our heart to be faithful. Read: Deut. 28:9, Philippians 1:11, Ps. 119:115, Matthew 19:17, Revelation 12:17.
So, works that are produced are the fruitage of salvation. God directs us to keep His commandments and have the faith / testimony of Jesus.
Remember, Jesus told the rich young ruler to go an keep the commandments – still holds truth true today.