May 6
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THE ROYAL LAW
8 If, however, you are fulfilling the 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 triumphs over judgment. – James 2:8-13
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In this letter, James gives us the prescription for doing well in life: to fulfill the royal law according to Scripture which says “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” There are two other books in the bible that reiterates this royal law after James wrote about this. The book of James was written in AD 44-49 while the book of Mark followed in AD 50-60 Just as Matthew wrote his in the same year as Mark did. It was James the brother of Jesus who first referred to this royal law which was also in the Old Testament book in Leviticus 19:18. Luke also mentions it during AD 60-61 and Paul repeats this royal law in his letter to the Romans and the Galatians. Why did Jesus consider this as second to the greatest commandment to love the Lord your God. He summed up all the Mosaic law in these two laws of love. God created us in His image according to Genesis and God is love according to John, so, if we are made like him, we are also love. He wants us all to love him and to love one another because it is the fulfillment of his promise.
James further elaborates on the other laws that explains this royal law. If you love your neighbor as yourself, you will not show partiality, you will not commit adultery and not murder. In fact, if you all follow this royal law, all of the ten commandments given through Moses will be followed. No wonder, James, who wrote the first book in the New Testament according to historical records, emphasized this royal law focused on the nature of God which is love. It is only fitting that all his children do the same to each other as well.
In verse 12, he commands them to walk their talk so that they won’t be judged by the law of freedom because the result of hypocrisy which is not walking their talk would be merciless to those who have not shown mercy. Once again, he focuses on God’s mercy.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it difficult to love your neighbor as yourself?