A Jamesian Reflection on the Old Testament Law

Is the Old Testament law valuable? Can following the law be an important part of the faith of a Jewish Christian? Let me offer some reflections on these thoughts from James.

First, I believe that James writes to Jewish Christians scattered throughout the Roman Empire in the diaspora. Some are wealthy, some poor; all are Christians. James's purpose in writing to them is to encourage them to get along and help one another out by appealing both to their Jewish faith and the life of the Lord Jesus, thereby saving them (5:20).

In the midst of this, he points that contrary to sin which brings death, God has given us life through the word of truth (1:18) which can save us (1:21). We should not just listen to this word, but do what it says (1:22) because when we listen but do not do, we make the word useless, like when we use a mirror but forget what we look like. This means that without following the word, it is useless to do what it can do; without us following us, it is useless to saving us. James then equates this "word" with the perfect law (1:25), saying the one who follows it will be blessed in what she does. This perfect law is the law that gives freedom.

James then encourages his hearers to speak and act as those who will be judged by this law (2:12). This is the perfect law whose royal form is loving one's neighbour as we love ourselves (2:8-9). Without loving your neighbour, it matters not a hoot whether one obeys the rest of the law; they have broken the whole thing (2:11).

Let me pull this together. I think James is fine with his hearers following their religious practices and the law. However, without inward transformation, these religious practices are useless. (This is what he means by controlling the tongue, which Jesus says speaks the overflow of our hearts.) Inward transformation, however, which is and is enabled by the word planted within us, is the perfect law, the complete law, the purposed law. The purpose of the law is to love one's neighbour as we love ourselves and we should act with this law in mind. This is the law that gives freedom to do just what it asks--not showing favourtism and loving our neighbours. This is our salvation because this is the life of our Lord Jesus--who is glorified.

[I think it will later takes Paul and theologians working out their thoughts on the Holy Spirit who makes this transformation possible because, as Paul and other prophets before him (like Jeremiah) tell us, the law is powerless to bring about this transformation.]

So, the perfect law is good, worth following and obeying and thereby becoming like Jesus in its and his royalty--loving indiscriminately. Anything less is useless.