All
Your Commandments Are Truth
(James 2:10–12)
Introduction
The readers of James’s letter had once followed the Law of Moses. After
becoming Christians, persecution forced them to leave Jerusalem, and some
began to forget the importance of keeping every command of the royal law.
James reminds them—and us—that every commandment of God is essential and not
to be neglected.
Law Is Vital
James teaches that law remains a vital part of Christian life. Although we
live under grace, we are still governed by the law of Christ. Jesus said,
“He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me” (John
14:21). Paul wrote, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of
Christ” (Galatians 6:2). John said, “He who says, ‘I know Him,’ and does not
keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (1 John 2:4).
Paul added, “Because the law brings about wrath; for where there is no law
there is no transgression” (Romans 4:15).
We are under the law of Christ today,
yet we are also under grace. Paul declared, “For sin shall not have dominion
over you, for you are not under law but under grace” (Romans 6:14). Grace
and law do not conflict. Grace has always been the foundation of salvation.
Ephesians 2:8–9 teaches that salvation is by grace through faith, not of
works, lest anyone should boast. Grace does not cancel law; it fulfills it
through Christ.
There are two ways to have clean hands.
One is never to get them dirty, representing law as the basis of salvation.
The other is to wash them clean, representing grace as the basis of
salvation. God’s grace allows cleansing where law exposes our need for it.
Grace and Law Work Together
The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us
to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live righteously (Titus
2:11–12). Grace is a gift freely given, but it is conditional. Its benefits
come through obedience. Philippians 2:12–13 tells us to “work out your own
salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you both to
will and to do for His good pleasure.” God’s law provides the structure for
righteousness, while His grace provides the means for forgiveness. Together,
they form the full picture of redemption.
Every Command of God Is Essential
James warns that “whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one
point, he is guilty of all” (James 2:10). To break one command is to violate
the authority of the Lawgiver. A murderer does not also have to steal to be
a lawbreaker; one transgression is enough.
Some in James’s day thought they could
keep one command diligently and neglect others. James corrected that false
reasoning: “He who said, ‘Do not commit adultery,’ also said, ‘Do not
murder.’” The same God gave all commandments. To reject one is to reject His
authority. We have no right to decide which parts of God’s Word matter more.
Every word is truth. Psalm 119:151 declares, “You are near, O Lord, and all
Your commandments are truth.”
We cannot excuse our disobedience as
small or insignificant. Every sin is serious because it opposes the will of
God. The one who chooses which commands to follow has placed himself above
God’s authority.
A Day of Judgment Is Coming
James 2:12 says, “So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law
of liberty.” The Christian must live each day in the awareness that judgment
is coming. Paul wrote, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of
Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:10).
The law of liberty is not freedom from
law but freedom from sin. Romans 6:17–18 explains, “Though you were slaves
of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you
were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of
righteousness.” True freedom is found only through obedience to Christ.
Peter warned of false teachers who
promise liberty while remaining slaves of corruption (2 Peter 2:18–19).
Jesus said, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you
shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31–32).
Freedom comes through the truth, not apart from it.
The word of Christ will judge every
person. Jesus said, “He who rejects Me and does not receive My words has
that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last
day” (John 12:48).
Receiving the Grace of God
All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, yet His grace is
available to all through Christ. To receive it, one must believe that Jesus
is the Son of God, repent of sin, confess His name, and be baptized into
Christ. Romans 6:3–4 explains, “As many of us as were baptized into Christ
Jesus were baptized into His death. Therefore we were buried with Him
through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by
the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
Those who have already obeyed the
gospel must continue to walk in the light. John wrote, “If we walk in the
light as He is in the light... the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us
from all sin” (1 John 1:7). When we fall short, we must confess our sins and
pray for forgiveness, trusting that “He is faithful and just to forgive us
our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
All Your Commandments Are Truth
Sermon Outline:
-
Introduction
-
Law Is Vital
-
The law of Christ governs
believers (John 14:21; Galatians 6:2; 1 John 2:4).
-
Without law there is no sin
(Romans 4:15).
-
Grace and law coexist (Romans
6:14; Ephesians 2:8–9).
-
Illustration: Two ways to have
clean hands.
-
Grace and Law Work Together
-
Grace teaches righteousness
(Titus 2:11–12).
-
Grace requires faithful
obedience (Philippians 2:12–13).
-
Law defines right and wrong;
grace forgives where we fail.
-
Every Command of God Is
Essential
-
One violation makes a person
guilty of all (James 2:10).
-
All commands come from the same
divine authority (James 2:11).
-
Every command is truth (Psalm
119:151).
-
Partial obedience is
disobedience.
-
A Day of Judgment Is Coming
-
Live daily in view of judgment
(James 2:12; 2 Corinthians 5:10).
-
The law of liberty brings
freedom from sin (Romans 6:17–18).
-
False liberty leads to bondage
(2 Peter 2:18–19).
-
True liberty is through the
truth (John 8:31–32).
-
Christ’s word will judge all
(John 12:48).
-
Receiving the Grace of God
-
Steps to salvation: faith,
repentance, confession, baptism (Romans 6:3–4).
-
Continued faithfulness through
walking in the light (1 John 1:7–9).
-
Conclusion and Application
Call to Action
Every command of God matters. Examine your life and ensure obedience to all
of God’s revealed will. Turn from sin, live faithfully, and seek God’s grace
through Jesus Christ. His commandments are truth, and His promises are sure.
Key Takeaways
• Law and grace work together in God’s plan (Romans 6:14; Titus 2:11–12).
• One sin makes a lawbreaker (James 2:10).
• True freedom comes through obedience to Christ (John 8:31–32).
• The word of Christ will judge all men (John 12:48).
• Ongoing confession and repentance keep us in the light (1 John 1:7–9).
Scripture Reference List
James 2:10–12 – The central text and principle that one sin makes one
guilty.
John 14:21 – Love proven through obedience.
Galatians 6:2 – The law of Christ fulfilled in service.
1 John 2:4 – Knowledge of Christ confirmed by obedience.
Romans 4:15 – Law defines transgression.
Romans 6:14 – Grace reigns over law.
Ephesians 2:8–9 – Salvation is the gift of God.
Titus 2:11–12 – Grace teaches godliness.
Philippians 2:12–13 – Work out your salvation.
Psalm 119:151 – All commandments are truth.
2 Corinthians 5:10 – Judgment before Christ.
Romans 6:17–18 – Freedom through obedience.
2 Peter 2:18–19 – False liberty exposed.
John 8:31–32 – Truth makes one free.
Romans 8:1 – No condemnation in Christ.
John 12:48 – Christ’s word judges all.
Romans 6:3–4 – Baptism into Christ.
1 John 1:7–9 – Continued cleansing through confession.
Prepared by
Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO
The
church of Christ
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