James 1:25

Looketh. Here begins the application of the “mirror” illustration (v. 24).

Perfect. See on Matt. 5:48; James 1:4.

Law. There may be an allusion to Christ’s teaching concerning the law, in the Sermon on the Mount (see on Matt. 5:17, 18). Also, a close parallel to Paul’s comments on “law” is obvious (see on Rom. 2:12; 7:12). In ch. 2 James equates “law” with the Decalogue (vs. 10, 11), and apparently refers to that code here also (see GC 466). For another inspired statement about the “law” being “perfect” see Ps. 19:7. The “perfect law” may be compared to the “word of truth” (James 1:18) and to the “engrafted word” (v. 21), the “doing” of which is the life of Christian obedience. The “law” is a description of the character of God — the true standard of righteousness — and outlines proper relationships between God and man, also relationships among men. The “law,” therefore, becomes a “mirror” by means of which a man can evaluate his motives and actions.

Liberty. The lawbreaker finds his freedom restricted. The motto, “Obedience to law is liberty,” is frequently seen on courtroom walls, and is a worthy motto for every Christian to remember. When, by the grace of God, a man accepts the Saviour’s yoke (Matt. 11:28-30), he sees the law as being clearly in accord with his highest interests and conducive to his highest happiness (see DA 329). He then looks upon the will of God as liberty, and upon sin as bondage. The apostle points to the moral law as the infallible rule of duty (see on ch. 2:12). When we acknowledge the defects of character it points out to us, and turn to Christ to remedy them, we find that the law has pointed the way to true liberty, for the highest liberty is freedom from sin. However, the keeping of the law, whether moral or ceremonial, as a means of justification, makes of it a yoke of bondage (see Vol. VI, pp. 933-935; see on Gal. 2:16).

Continueth. Only to those who “seek” first the “kingdom of God” (see on Matt. 6:33) will the law be an avenue to “liberty.” It brings freedom only to those who, by the grace of God, make it a life habit to reflect the character of Christ (see on John 8:31-36).

Doer of the work. The law of God gives direction and motivation for the living of a genuine Christian life. Thus, the Christian will be a doer of Christlike deeds. Every man will finally be judged “according to his deeds” (Rom. 2:6), and the “law” alone provides man with a safe yardstick by which to measure his deeds (see on Rom. 2:6, 13).

Blessed. There is no end to the “blessings” that come to those who fully commit their ways to God (see on Ps. 1:1-3; Matt. 19:29).

In his deed. Literally, “in his doing.” He will be blessed in the very act of obedience to God’s law (see Ps. 19:11). The action itself is not the source of blessing, for that would constitute a man righteous by works; rather, the doing of the will of God removes barriers that would otherwise shut us off from His blessing.