James 2:12

"So speak and so act, as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty."So speak and so act" -present imperatives-do so as. habit. "We are to live continuously both in our words and actions in view of the way we are to be judged" (Roberts p. 98). "You must continue talking and acting" (Wms)."are to be" -the idea is that judgment can happen or arrive at anytime. The Christian knows that the Lord could come at any time and must always be prepared (1 Thessalonians 5:1)."judged by the law of liberty" -"a law that brings liberty" (Beck); "the law that makes free" (Bas). The law of liberty is the gospel message, the words of Jesus Christ (John 12:48; John 8:31). The word "judged" doesn't mean "condemned", but it does mean that we will all be confronted by this law and those who have been disobedient will be condemned.

Points To Note:

1. James isn't saying, "But since we are going to be judged by the law of liberty, we don't need to worry about the sins we have or are committing". Rather, the clear meaning is that the "law of liberty" will condemn us if we are violating it (James 2:8-11; 13). This law of liberty doesn't give us the freedom to live any way that we want, and neither does it overlook sin which hasn't been forsaken and repented of. 2. "James draws his discussion of favoritism to. conclusion by the solemn warning that Christians should always speak and act in view of coming judgment…The law of liberty was first mentioned in James 1:25, where it was clearly equated with "the word, implanted which is able to save your souls" (James 1:21). It refers to the Word of God as found in the gospel…This law of liberty sets believers free from guilt and from slavery to sin, but it also places them under the obligation to obey their Lord and Master" (Kent p. 84).