An Oxymoron: The Law of Liberty

An oxymoron is like de-caffeinated coffee.  The kind that gets you up in the morning.   The word comes from Greek oxys (sharp) + moros (stupid)  It is often used as a contradiction in terms. For instance you would want your contractor to give you an "accurate estimate."   Or how about having some of your "adult children" over for supper.   Perhaps your reading this after lunch and you are enjoying a "cold hotdog?"     One oxymoron that I came across in Biblical literature is found in the very practical writings of the half-brother of Jesus, James.  He writes, "So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. [1]

The law of liberty???    Some people using the KJV of the Bible equate such a phrase to David's affirmation in Psalm 119:44-45,  "So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever. And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts."   Undoubtedly there is a freedom and liberty in keeping God's rules.  Most of us know that to be true.  I don't think that is where James is taking us though. A "fairly accurate" understanding of the sentence is that the Greek present tense connotes a continuous action.  In other words James is saying to Christians, "Keep on, keeping on."  The verb mellō in Greek means “about to be.”  There is a judgment that is imminent. 

Now we know from verse 25 that this "law of liberty" is called the "perfect law" by the author.  There is a very interesting parallel by the Apostle John.  Notice:

"17 By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 19 We love because he first loved us. 20 If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21 And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother." [2]

There is a striking similarity.  James is talking about how we talk to one another.  He is saying that we need to speak and act as those who could be judged at anytime.  However John, in the same vein, teaches us that we can have confidence in the day of judgment if we display love.  One of my previous pastors (Dr. Grant Richison) wrote that "every time we open our mouth, we should utter words consistent with Christianity . . .  also we need to control our actions by the law of liberty."[3]   I think the law of liberty is the principle that simply means "words and actions" compelled by love (2Cor 5:14).  When we speak and act out of true Christian love we will experience liberty, both here and in the judgment.

36 I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, 37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” [4]

That should make us casually concerned.







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1. The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. 2001 (Jas 2:12). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
2. The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. 2001 (1 Jn 4:17–21). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
3. http://versebyversecommentary.com/james/james-212/ 
4.The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. 2001 (Mt 12:36–37). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.