In these verses before us, James is dealing with a critical issue…the nature of law.  The reason he is doing this is because some brethren confuse law as being made up of unconnected rules and regulations.  Taking this view lends itself to the conclusion that some rules in a given law are unimportant and can be broken without one becoming a transgressor of that law.  So, what we have before us is James giving these brethren a quick lesson on the nature of law so that they take the subject that he just discussed (treating brethren without partiality) seriously.

Before we look at what James says, let me emphasize why this is so important to us today.  As Christians, we must understand the nature of law because we are indeed under a law. We are under the law of Christ (1 Corinthians 9:21).  Further evidence of this is found in the book of Romans.

Romans 8:2 (ESV)
² For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.

The law of the Spirit of life is the gospel and we need to understand that it is a law.  After understanding this truth, we next need to realize that all law requires the same thing, that is, obedience to it as a whole.  The gospel is not a license to sin.  Yes, there is a principle of pardon built into the gospel law, allowing us to be restored when we sin against God (Acts 8:22; 1 John 1:9), but the law itself demands the same obedience that is required of any other law.

Now, what does James say about law?

James 2:10 (ESV)
¹⁰ For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.

It does not matter what portion of a law is violated, whether it be major or minor, the one who breaks the law is a transgressor of that law.  James wants his readers to know that they cannot show partiality toward the rich while ignoring the poor and think that they are law-abiding citizens in the kingdom of God.  Why?  Because no matter what portion of a law one breaks, he is committing a transgression against the author of that law.  Concerning the Law of Moses, the same God who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” said, “You shall not murder.”  Breaking either commandment makes one a transgressor of that law and the God who authored it.

Are we to believe that this principle only applies to the Law of Moses?  Of course not.  James cites that law because his readers (Jews), were very familiar with it, but he is really emphasizing the nature of law in general.  The principle applies to the gospel of Christ as well.  Whether we forsake the assembling of the saints or lie to someone, we become a transgressor of the gospel.  To fail in one point is to become guilty of all of it.

Since we know that we must keep the whole law and that a violation of one part of it makes us guilty of it all, we should live like it.  This is what James means in ver. 12.

James 2:12 (ESV)
¹² So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty.

We must all stand before the judgment seat of Christ (Romans 14:10).  Let us prepare for the day of judgment by striving to keep the whole law.  Today we are under the law of the Spirit of life, a law of liberty, that is, a law that has set us free from sin (Romans 6:7).  We must not use this blessing as a license to sin, for then we will become a slave to sin all over again.  Instead, we must recognize what law—any law—demands…obedience to all that is commanded.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.