Bible Basics

The "Perfect" Law

Having pointed out that while the Law of Moses has been fulfilled in Christ and is no longer in force (see Matt. 5:17; Eph. 2:14, 15; Col. 2:14; etc), law does exist today. James calls this law the “perfect law of liberty” (James 1:25). At first this “perfect law of liberty” may appear to be an anomaly for how can any law produce liberty or freedom? To begin with, this law, the “law of Christ” (Gal;. 6:2; 1 Cor. 9:21), is “perfect.” In this passage the word translated “perfect” is from a Greek word (teleion) that indicates “completeness, fullness, wholeness.” Therefore, James proclaims the law of Christ to be full or complete. As Paul puts it, “Every Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16, 17). The complete law of Christ provides the man of God with everything necessary to live his life pleasing in God’s sight. This means the days of revelation are over. But what about those today that claim to receive revelation from God? Are they lying? Not necessarily. They may be just mistaking every idea that pops into their head as a revelation from God. But Jude says God’s revelation was “once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3).

                                                                                                               -- Clark Dugger

Bible Basics