Self-Control and Judgment

#DAY21 #WHM #SELFCONTROL #PERSONALDEVOTIONAL

"So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty."

James 2:12 NASB1995

https://bible.com/bible/100/jas.2.12.NASB1995

James informs us, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that 1) We will be judged 2) We have control in that judgment by how we speak and act 3) So putting those two truths together, let us be wise and fulfill the royal law of love. In how we speak and how we act towards our fellow mankind let us follow this law of the gospel and fulfill the will of the law and the Lord who decreed it!

Contextually in verse 8 "You shall love your neighbor as yourself" is described as the "Royal Law". According to scholars, such as found in Vincent's Word Studies, this is not a royal law in the sense that it is given from a king, but in the sense that it rules all other laws. We see that alluded to in other New Testament passages like Romans 13:10 and Galatians 5:14. This law which is sovereign and rules over all other laws should also rule over our hearts and lead us to self-control in how we speak and how we act. The more we pursue love, the knowledge of it, and the wise practice of it, the more we will have self-control and fulfill the law and will of God.

James is very much invoking a Final Judgment Perspective to help us to have self-control and live in a way that is honorable and worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ which saves us. In addressing brethren's out-of-control prejudice and bias he is imploring us to judge righteously in honorably knowing that God will judge us in like manner. For those who heed His counsel that will be a good thing, and for those who don't it will be a terrifying thing. (Hebrews 10:31)

Another sober truth that James points out in this context is to not judge ourselves lightly. To be guilty in one part of the law is to be guilty of the law. Let us not think lightly of our own infractions and transgressions; but rather, let us take them as seriously as the Lord does. Perhaps, that will help us not just to judge others rightly, but more importantly, ourselves rightly. And in so doing, may that help us to grow and mature in the faith and to live it honorably and righteously.

James is not saying all of this so as to shut out the grace found in Christ Jesus. The Holy Spirit inspires this message so that we properly perceive and understand our duty and responsibility in living the grace of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Let us be truthful, righteous, kind, and merciful in our judgments of others (judging them as we would want to be judged), just as we hope to receive from the Lord. (James 2:13)