James 2:8-10 The Royal Law

Today, Thursday November 19 - James 2:8-10 "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. For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all."  Here James reaches back into the Old Testament for one of God's laws. "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." (Leviticus 19:18)  In His Parable of the "Good Samaritan", Jesus told us that our neighbor is anyone who needs our help (Luke 10:25-37).  It is not a matter of geography, but opportunity!  The important question is not, "Who is my neighbor?" but "To whom can I be a neighbor?"  Why does James call this "the Royal Law"?  First because it was given by the King! God the Father gave it in the Law, and God the Son reaffirmed it to His disciples (John 13:34). Second, it is called the Royal Law because it rules all the other laws. "Love is the fulfilling of the Law" (Romans 1310). And last, it is called the Royal Law because obeying it makes you a king!!!! Hatred makes a person a slave, but love sets us free from selfishness and enables us to reign like kings! Oh! What the world needs now, is "love, sweet love".  Today may the Lord help us to be a conduit of His love! God bless!