MONDAY November 25, 2019

The Royal Law

If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well; but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 
James 2:8-9

What is the royal law? The Ten Commandments! James likened fulfilling the Law to what Jesus taught in the New Testament. Jesus summed up the royal law to a lawyer who questioned Him:

“ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 22:37-40).

Christians need the love of Christ in their lives––be Christ-like. We need to walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16, 22). James warned against partiality. It was a sin to be a respecter of persons. The Church is a spiritual hospital where many different people come to hear the Word of God. Whoever comes to church must be treated with respect.

There are people in different countries who have class systems in their societies. Chile is such a country, and among them are many Europeans. In Chile there are three very distinct classes: the upper class, middle class and lower class. The upper class will not associate or even sit at the same table with those outside of their own class. They can be a real hard group to minister to.

Many missionaries work among the poor people, and they always receive the Gospel willingly. Yet I was challenged to reach the rich with the Gospel. At first, working among the rich was difficult. So I asked the Lord, “How can this class barrier be broken?” The Lord ministered to me that it was only possible to reach them through the love of Jesus Christ. Christians need to have the law of love in every word and action so they can reach the lost.

Whereas obedience is righteousness in relation to God, love is righteousness in relation to others.
~A. Plummer~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit Somebodylovesyouradio.org!