We now turn from the man who looked at himself in the mirror of the Word – who turned away and forgot; to the man who observes himself carefully, sees wherein he comes short, and straightway proceeds to correct the matter – continuing to walk in the new way. The man in verses 23 and 24, sees the dirt, but does not wash, while the man of verse 25 does wash, and keeps himself clean.

"But whoso looketh into ..." The expression, "whoso looketh into," is different from the word "beholdeth" of verse 24. It means to stoop down and to look attentively. It is the same as when Peter stooped down and looked carefully into the tomb of the Lord Jesus (Luke 24:12). Stooping down would tell us that we must be humble as we look into the Word. We need to be in a condition to let the Word of God speak to us and correct us. We should be like David when he said, "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" (Ps. 139:23, 24). How important it is to know the Word of God, to study it, paying close heed to it that it may correct and lead us in the right way.

Not man's traditions: Our actions must be guided by the Word of God; not by man's notions or traditions. "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them" (Is. 8:20).

Look diligently: So, let us look diligently into the Word, first of all, if we are not saved, that it may show us our guilt, leading us to Christ for salvation. Then after we are born again, saved, let us look diligently into the Word, that it may show us our failings as Christians, leading us to walk with and for Him. "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves" (2 Cor. 13:5). Let us be sure that we believe and obey every part of the Bible, asking the Lord for help understanding it. One cannot truly believe and obey the Word of God and know it, without it having a great influence on his life.

"... law of liberty ..." Some might say, "The book of James cannot be for us; it puts us under law." They will be thinking of portions like Romans 6:14, 15, where Paul says, "Ye are not under the law, but under grace;" or Galatians 5:1, "Stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." Thank God, we are not under the law. If we were, it would condemn us. In Romans, Paul is particularly thinking of the Ten Commandments, and being justified thereby. Paul does not condemn the law as such. He says, "The law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good" (Rom. 7:12). The trouble is not with the law, but with man, who is unable to keep it. The law can and does show man his sin (Rom. 3:20), and pronounces him guilty for breaking it. It has no power to forgive sin, or to liberate him from the thralldom of sin. This is done for one who trusts and obeys the Lord Jesus for salvation. "For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace" (Rom. 6:14). When one is saved he is put on an entirely new platform, so the law can no longer condemn, even if there is a breaking of it. We are taken out from under law, and put under grace. When saved, we become children of God, members of the royal family, not subject to the law, except the law of Christ.

Law not always the Ten Commandments: Some think that whenever the Bible speaks of law, it refers to the Ten Commandments. This is not so. The word is used in a great variety of ways. Paul recognizes at least five different laws in his book of Romans. Besides the Ten Commandments (Rom. 3:19); we have the law of faith (Rom. 3:27); the law of sin (Rom. 7:21- 25); the law of the mind (Rom. 7:23), and the law of the Spirit (Rom. 8:2). So we can definitely conclude that James does not mean to put the Christian back under the law, when he speaks of "the law of liberty."

What is the law of liberty?: What then is this law of liberty? Some have thought of it as the whole Word of God. Quite often we have the Word spoken of as a law. This is very evident in Psalms 19 and 119. "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul" (Ps. 19:7). This probably speaks of the whole Word, because, while the law of Ten Commandments may convict of sin, it no place else says that they convert the soul. "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ" (Gal. 2:16). This is more evident still in Psalms 119, where we have a great variety of names for the Word, law among them, and ascribes to it virtues, which could not be applied merely to the Ten Commandments.

Is this law the New Testament?: In Hebrews 8:7-13, we have a contrast between the old covenant and the new. The word "covenant," answers to the word "testament." Many make the New Testament this "perfect law of liberty" in contrast to the Old, which is called "the yoke of bondage" (Gal. 5:1). There is much in the Hebrew Bible that can be called "a yoke of bondage." Besides the Ten Commandments, there are the many ordinances of the ceremonial law, which would indeed be a burden to any who had to observe them all. Christ, by His work on the cross, fulfilled all these ordinances, thus making it unnecessary for us to keep them. For this reason, the New Testament may be called a "law of liberty."

The Gospel of the law of liberty: Some would narrow this "law of liberty" still further by applying it only to the Gospel. Certainly, it is the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ that liberates the soul from bondage. The Gospel liberates from the condemnation of the law, from the dominion and power of sin, from the fear of death, and hell, and from the thralldom of Satan. It is especially in connection with the Gospel, that we should apply this "law of liberty."

Law of love: Some say this "law of liberty" refers to the "law of love." We do read that "Love is the fulfilling of the law" (Rom. 13:10). A man may lay down a set of laws for his employees, but he is not likely to do the same for his wife. She does not need these laws. She will do far more than her husband asks, because she loves him. While there is much service in the home, there is also much liberty. This is the "law of love." When Christ and the Word are loved, it is real liberty to obey. In this way, the spirit of love displaces the letter of the law.

"... perfect law ..." Everything the Lord does is perfect. It is only fallen men and demons who err. The Ten Commandments were perfect, but man, being imperfect, could not keep them. The whole Word of God is perfect, as noted in connection with Psalms 19:7. The law of liberty is also perfect. The Gospel is perfect in every way. It gives a man a perfect salvation, and will eventually make of him a perfect man. Only because of Christ and His work on the cross, will we be able to stand in perfection before the Father (Eph. 5:27). We also have a perfect standard for the Christian's conduct in the New Testament.

"... liberty ..." To some, the expression "law of liberty" may seem inconsistent. They think laws are made to restrict their liberty; that liberty is composed of freedom from law, and a license to do as one might like. Some laws do restrict freedom, but most are passed to maintain liberty. What kind of freedom would we have if all laws were suddenly suspended, and all restraining officers and all courts were suddenly abolished? We would not have freedom, but anarchy. We would not dare leave our homes after dark, and hardly dare, even in the daylight. Because of man's sinful nature, there must be laws to restrain, in order to have liberty.

The land of the free: In the USA national anthem there is a line that reads: "Land of the free and home of the brave." Another song sung in America has this line: "My country 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty." America is known as a land of liberty, yet Americans are not free to do as they please. In America you cannot help yourself to your neighbor's property. If you do, you will soon find yourself behind bars, with your liberty gone. However, if you keep the law in America, you keep your liberty; if, on the other hand, you break the law, then you lose your liberty. Liberty never means license, nor does it mean idleness.

The Gospel is the law of liberty: As we have already seen, the receiving of Christ gives great liberty. Among other things, it gives us the liberty of children. Our children have great liberty in our home. They feel that every room in the house, from basement to attic, is theirs. They think nothing of getting into mother's dresser drawers or daddy's desk. So, too, we have intimate freedom without Father in heaven. We have no fear of Him, anymore than children fear their earthly parents. "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father" (Rom. 8:15).

Liberty in Christ: Many scriptures tell us of the liberty we have in Christ. The best known is John 8:36, "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." Also see John 8:32, 2 Corinthians 3:17 and Romans 8:2. Man is naturally under the law of sin and death. "The wages of sin is death" (Rom. 6:23). When one trusts and obeys the Lord Jesus, he is freed from this law, and is put under the law of the Spirit of life. This life commences here, and will last (if we remain faithful) through eternity.

Liberty but not license: In America we have great liberty, and we should stand fast in that liberty (Gal. 5:1). However, we must be very careful not to make that liberty an excuse for evil doing. "As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God" (1 Pet. 2:16). "For brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another" (Gal. 5:13). Our children have great liberty in our home, but that does not mean they may do anything they please. There are certain bounds within which they must stay, or they will feel the chastening hand of father or mother. Sometimes, they fight among themselves. This is never tolerated. Our heavenly Father is greatly displeased when His children quarrel and fight among themselves, too (Gal. 5:15, etc.).

"... and continueth therein ..." The expression "continueth therein" speaks of looking into the perfect law of liberty, not once, but often and long. It would speak of not only reading the Word, but also meditating upon it. We should really seek to know the whole Word of God. We cannot be "doers of the work" if we do not know the Word. Often we find that some of the Lord's people cannot find some of the more familiar passages in their Bibles. We should seek to especially know the teachings and the life of our Lord Jesus, and then, the epistles, which explain the purpose of His coming and the cross. Then, we should seek to know the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) in the light of the New. Of course, the first needful thing is to know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

Persistence: The Lord does not like a fickle person; one who starts and stops, starts and stops. It is the persistent student of God’s Holy Word who finds salvation. The Lord wants His people to be persistent. The early Christians did not start and stop. "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers" (Acts 2:42). The Lord Jesus said, "Men ought always to pray, and not to faint" (Luke 18:1). Then He told that story of the persistent widow, who would not let the judge alone until he avenged her of her adversary. If we would be used of the Lord, we must not stop in our witnessing for Him (Acts 26:22). Persistence wins out in every sphere of Christian activity. If we have a true desire, the Lord will help us.

"... being not a forgetful hearer ..." "Being not a forgetful hearer" refers back to the man of verse 24, who sees himself in the mirror of God's Word, only to turn away, and forget what kind of a man he really is. This is literally, "Being not a hearer that forgetteth." The Lord wants us to hear the Word, remember it, and do it.

"... a doer of the work ..." This subject of being "a doer of the work," as we noticed in connection with verse 22, is the principal theme of the book of James. "The perfect law of liberty" is not a law of idleness, but rather, one of work. Many think that to work is slavery, and to be idle is liberty. This is not so. Most work just as hard in their so-called free time as they do at their daily labors. Usually it is at something they love to do, and they do not figure it is slavery. To work for one you despise is indeed slavery, but to voluntarily work for one you love is liberty.

Know and do: Do not be content with merely having a good knowledge of the Word. There are many helps to knowing and understanding it, such as expositions, commentaries, etc., but not many helps to your doing the work. In order to be blessed by the Word, you need to act upon what you read. Some pay the Lord much lip service and empty worship, but seldom do the things He says. Many seem far more eager to know than to do.

The place of doing: Let's emphasize again the place of doing. Before salvation, one cannot do a thing to please God. A sinner must be born again. Only then has he truly and Biblically accepted Christ as Savior (for an in-depth study of salvation, see God’s Salvation, in the A Religion Library section of StudyJesus.com). After pardon, this "perfect law of liberty" tells of a practical life which must necessarily follow salvation. A life of righteousness is the natural fruit of faith and obedience in Christ. A man may believe many things of a secular nature, such as scientific or mathematical facts, but they will have little if any effect on his daily life. One cannot truly believe the great story of the Gospel without it having a tremendous effect on his daily walk.

Power to do: Sometimes one may say, "No use for me to be saved, I could not live the Christian life anyway." I use to always tell such a one that they do not know the power of God. Paul says in Rom. 1:16, "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation." Few seem to understand that the Gospel of Christ, when truly believed and obeyed, does more than forgive sin. It puts a new life in the soul which enables one to live for Christ. The law of the Ten Commandments could not do this (Rom. 8:3), but Christ, by His Spirit, can and does (Rom. 8:2). This law of liberty not only tells us what to do, but it unshackles us, and gives us the power to do it.

Willingness to do: This law of liberty goes even further. It not only enables us to do, but puts a new nature within us that desires to do His will. For this reason, it is not slavery to do the work, but liberty. There is no liberty like doing that which it is our very nature to do. Of course, we do not lose our old nature, and to it, to do the will of God is indeed, slavery, but we need not let that nature get the upper hand. When the new nature has control, we will delight to do His will.

His yoke is easy: Which is the easiest, to live a life of sin, or to live a life for Christ? The Lord Jesus answered this in Matthew 11:28-30. In verse 28, He pictures a poor sinner laboring and burdened under his sin. He says, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." But this rest does not mean idleness. After they come to Him and receive rest, they are to take His yoke upon them, and work for and with Him. Verse 29 says that even in the taking of that yoke there is rest. Verse 30 says, "For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." So we conclude that to live a life of sin is, indeed, hard, and slavery, but to live a life for Christ is easy and a delight. Of course, to live the life of a Christian without truly receiving Him as Savior is not only difficult, but impossible. It is like trying to live without having life.

The Word and work: You will notice a change from "a doer of the Word" in verse 22, to "a doer of the work" in our verse 25. If the work we are doing is a work for God, it will also be according to the Word. All doing of the work must be a doing of the Word. If it is not, it will be utterly useless. The preaching of many seems quite unrelated to the Word. They may read a portion from it, and then preach away on things totally unrelated to the Bible. Paul says to Timothy, "Preach the word" (2 Tim. 4:2). To preach anything else is not to do the work, and is of no value in the service of the Lord. We should carefully study the Scripture, so that we may rightfully preach it. "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing (handling) the word of truth" (2 Tim. 2:15). "Doing of the work" applies not only to preaching the Word, but to anything we may attempt for the Lord. It must be according to the Word.

"... blessed in his deed." It is, indeed, a blessed thing to know the Word of God, but the real blessing comes in doing it. "Blessed in his deed" reminds us of the beatitudes of Christ (Matt. 5:1-12). You will notice, the beatitudes do not pronounce a blessing because of what one believes, but rather because of what one does or is. A Christian will be rewarded for his deeds at the judgment seat of Christ, but our verse suggests that there is a blessing in the very doing of the deed; "blessed in his deed." It always brings joy when we do what the Lord asks us to do. Speaking of the statutes of the Lord, David says, "In keeping of them there is great reward" (Ps. 19:11). Our Lord says, "If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them" (John 13:17). Every truth in the Word brings its practical responsibility, and to act upon this is sure to bring a great blessing. Every part of the Word is throbbing with life, and is meant to regulate our life, and if we permit it to do so, we will be happy. To obey the Lord will bring His approval, His smile, and His fellowship. This makes for great joy, even if outward circumstances are grievous.

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