The Meaning of James 1:25: What Is the Perfect Law of Liberty?

But there is also a spiritual form of freedom that is a bit different and deserves our attention. In his epistle, James wrote of our need to look into and obey “the perfect law of liberty” (James 1:25). The Greek word translated “liberty” implies freedom from slavery.

What law and what slavery is James talking about? How does this law provide freedom? 

What is the context of James 1:25?

To fully understand what James is saying, we need to look at the context. 

This context begins in James 1:21: “Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.”

James begins talking about filthiness and wickedness—sinful behavior Christians are to put out of their lives and replace with righteousness.

James then puts forward a powerful comparison by likening the person who only hears God’s words to someone who looks in a mirror and sees himself, but walks away, forgetting what he saw. 

When we look into a mirror, we can see if our hair is combed, if there is any dirt on our face or any blemishes that need attention, etc.

Spiritually, when we look into God’s Word and see our imperfections but ignore them, we are like someone who “immediately forgets what kind of man he was” (verse 24) and doesn’t make changes.

(For more insight on overlooking our need to change, read “Can You See Your Spiritual Blind Spots?”)

James drives it home in verse 25: “But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.”

James is telling us that the perfect law of liberty is like a spiritual mirror that not only reveals our sins, but also shows us how to correct them. When we work on addressing our sins—when we are doers—God will bless us.

What is the perfect law of liberty?

So, what exactly is the “perfect law of liberty” that James is writing about? How does this law reveal our flaws, imperfections and shortcomings?

This perfect law is the 10 Commandments!

Notice how David described God’s law: 

“The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. 

God’s commandments not only show us how to live, but reflect the character of God Himself.“More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them Your servant is warned, and in keeping them there is great reward” (Psalm 19:7-11).

God’s commandments not only show us how to live, but reflect the character of God Himself. (To learn more, read “The Law: A Reflection of God’s Character.”)

So, we should consider the descriptors of God’s commandments as we look into that spiritual mirror:

• God’s commandments show us what is wise. Do we see our lack of wisdom and strive to replace it with God’s wisdom?
• God’s commandments show us what is pure. Do we see our impurities and work to correct them?
• God’s commandments show us our need to have a deep respect for Him. Do we strive to deeply honor and respect God?
• God’s commandments show us what is right and wrong. Do we always try to do what is right and avoid doing wrong?

When James says that those who strive to do what God commands will be blessed, he is reinforcing what David said in Psalm 19—that keeping God’s commandments brings great reward.

God’s commandments reveal God’s character to us. They show us what is right and wrong, and how to have a rewarding life. God’s 10 Commandments are the perfect law.

How do God’s commandments give us liberty?

Some teach that liberty is freedom from an obligation to obey the 10 Commandments. They teach that Jesus obeyed the law perfectly so we don’t have to, thus liberating us from the “oppressive” Old Testament laws.  

But if that were true, why would the apostle John write these words decades after Christ’s death and resurrection: “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome” (1 John 5:3)? John clearly says that God’s commandments are not a burden—they are not something we need liberty from. 

Why are they not burdensome? Because they reflect and reveal God’s very character. Christians wanting to become more like God use God’s commandments as a guide. 

Instead of being freed from the need to obey the law, James was teaching about being liberated from the penalty of failing to follow it.  

(To learn more about the often ignored form of slavery we need freedom from, read “The Form of Slavery That Impacts Us All.”)

Being freed from the bondage of sin

The Bible defines sin as breaking any of God’s commandments (1 John 3:4). Sinful behavior brings hardship and sorrow, among other negative consequences. But the perfect law of God liberates us from sin and its consequences.

Christ said that He came to “proclaim liberty to the captives” (Luke 4:18). By breaking God’s law, everyone has been captive to sin. Jesus later said those who willfully sin are slaves of sin, but the truth of God—which includes the need to obey God’s law—sets us free from that slavery (John 8:32, 34). Paul also wrote that Christ liberated us from sin’s “yoke of bondage” (Galatians 5:1).

By being a doer of God’s Word and keeping His commandments, we can break free from the bondage of sin. We often fail to connect the dots to see that most of the difficulties we experience are consequences of sin. We usually don’t understand why we suffer from many problems and challenges. Though not all our problems directly result from our sins, the Bible is clear that sinful behavior is the root cause of much of our suffering.

Notice what Paul said, “For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death” (Romans 6:20-21).

Even though we may not have initially realized the harm our sinful conduct was causing, by looking into God’s spiritual mirror—the perfect law of liberty—we learn that it was breaking God’s commandments that led to heartache and suffering.

Yet, by being a doer of God’s Word and keeping His commandments, we can break free from the bondage of sin. 

“But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life” (Romans 6:22-23).

Being freed from the ultimate penalty of sin

Not only do the penalties of sin bring us harm in the short term, but its ultimate penalty is eternal death. And since all of us have sinned, we all have earned death.

Jesus Christ came and sacrificed His life to free us from that penalty. Upon genuine repentance, Christ’s sacrifice can be applied to us, freeing us from the death penalty.   

God’s commandments are just as binding today as they were thousands of years ago. True Christians will still occasionally slip up and sin out of weakness. But when that happens, we must confess our sins to God, look into the spiritual mirror of His law and then strive to keep His commandments better.

Yes, God’s perfect law of liberty is like a mirror that reveals who and what we are. Yet, rather than being discouraged by the flaws and shortcomings we see, we should focus on how practicing God’s commandments can show us how to become more like Him.

We become doers of God’s Word when we zealously work at applying those commandments to our lives. 

By doing this, not only will we improve our lives by being freed from the penalties of sin, but we will ultimately be liberated from the bondage of death by receiving the gift of eternal life!

That is absolute liberty!

Date Posted: February 2, 2024