The Royal Law
Introduction: The phrase “royal law” in the KJV from the book of James caught my attention, and some other Old and New Testament references support the importance of this encapsulated phrase of guidance for the Christian. In this study, I have selected scriptures that parallel the topic verse from James, but also others to show how it is important to understand the “royal law” as an outworking of following the first and greatest commandment. The two are so intertwined, that to do one, necessarily encompasses doing the other.
NOTE: Bible text is from the King James Version.
A — The Royal Law
James 2 “8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well.”
Comments: James is referring to an unchanging precept we can find in the Old Testament (Leviticus 19:18) when he says “according to the scripture,” and he applies a term to it that we can use as a memory tool. Royal law is a very fitting label since this command comes from the Lord, our King, the most high of all royalty. The Greek word translated as royal in this passage appears only five times in the New Testament, always related to the status of royalty or nobility. So, Christian, realize that all those in the kingdom are of equal noble status in Christ, regardless of their station in this present world.
B — Do Not Show Partiality
James 2 “2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; 4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? 5 Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?”
Comments: James provides a practical example of the type of situation that may confront any of us and give us the opportunity to apply the royal law. No matter how we perceive our own importance, it is often easy to show extra favor to those we believe are of high standing. We should keep the “royal law” in mind as we encounter people of all economic, cultural, and social strata. Although Jesus walked among men as a common man, he was at the same time far above all, as the source of eternal life for those who receive him by faith. His disciples were taken from the working class, and most of his public messages were given to groups of common people as he associated with those the religious elite avoided.
C — Keep My Commandments
John 14 “15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.”
Comments: The passages from Exodus and Deuteronomy tell us that God’s mercy extends over all generations to the ones who show their love for God by keeping his commandments. Jesus explains that we need the Holy Spirit to enable us to do what man alone is incapable of doing. No one is saved by keeping the commandments, but those who are saved are not exempt from loving God. In fact, if you do not observe the first part of the law, you cannot observe the second part. Both aspects of loving God and loving our neighbor must work together, or they cannot work at all.
D — The Two Great Commandments
Mark 12 “29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: 30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. 31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.”
Comments: Jesus clearly states that the first commandment requires that we love God completely and without reservation. Jesus gave his message to all people of all classes. It is not complicated or beyond the grasp of any he calls. The “burden” that he gives us as we continue in our mortal bodies is easy and light because he has already borne the weight of the law and sin for us. If we come to him by faith alone in complete trust, we fulfill the first commandment; then the Spirit of God will enable us to fulfill the second.
E — A New Commandment to Love Each Other
John 13 “34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.”
Comments: Again, we must demonstrate our love for God by our willingness to keep his commandments. If the sovereign of all creation has such great mercy and compassion for us, we should be very careful about our thoughts and actions in making judgments about others. God is no respecter of persons. We should develop the same mind as Christ, and have sincere love for those he has accepted.
F — Loving One Another Fulfills the Law
Romans 13 “8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. 9 Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”
Comments: Paul seems to have understood the same thing from the Holy Spirit as did James. Since love works no ill toward a neighbor, it sums up the other commands that instruct us of the proper conduct for those who serve God. And if we love God first, then our heart will be empowered with the mercy and compassion that is boundless in our Creator and Savior so we will love the diversified parts of the body of Christ.
G — Serve One Another by Love
Galatians 5 “13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”
Comments: We have great liberty because we have been set free from the condemnation in the law, but that liberty is a call to serve others. We must walk in the Spirit and have victory over the desires of our flesh which war against the Spirit. If we are led of the Spirit, we are not under the law — for all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: you shall love your neighbor as yourself.
Reflections in Prayer
Thank you Lord for providing a standard of conduct that has not changed from the Old Testament to the New Testament because it is consistent with your unchanging character. Guide me Lord to remember that outward appearance is not the measure of worth by which you judge, and give me the humility I need to prevent me from thinking of myself more highly than I ought, especially in any case when that would lead me to treat a neighbor in an unloving manner. May I love my neighbor as I love myself, remembering that you first loved me. Your love as our Creator God who called us to yourself has given each of us a value that far exceeds any gain from this present world. May my desire be first to love you Lord with all my heart, mind, soul, and strength. I believe that through your Spirit I will then be enabled to love my neighbor as myself, and fulfill the law of your royal kingdom. Amen.
Published 7 April 2011; first issued 27 December 2005