Convicted By The Law

But if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. James 2: 9

We have been given wise advice and admonitions pertaining to guarding against showing partiality, and how this leads us to commit sin. We even discussed the heaviness of partiality and the height of its sin, so often crouched in the simplicity of what we see as ineffectual actions, but most effectual in the sight of God. James, is not speaking on his own, he can’t be, if the Holy Ghost resides in him and is speaking through him. It is with growing faith and trust in this Spirit-given fact about James, we are willing and ready to continue receiving the third other huge word.

The third huge word is convicted – You are convicted by the law.

The word, convicted, is huge in hypocrisy, in terms of how many a believer and worshipper, very well acquainted with the law, uses the law, showing great partiality. Listen to it like this. But if you show partiality, you are convicted by the law. The law convicts you straight away, with any actions which even smell of partiality.

What is this law of which James speaks? Who has this law and where is it? First, we must bring to the front of our minds that James is speaking to the Church, Jesus’ Church, wherever she is and in whatsoever state she may be. James is speaking to people of the law, God’s children who were given the law and who have grown up with the law, teach the law and live by the law.  The law is God’s law, not man’s law. The law has been given to stay and nothing or no one will get rid of it. This is what Jesus Himself says about the law, as recorded in Mathew 5: 17 – 18. Do not think that I have come to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. The Law that convicts us of sin, is God’s Law, which Jesus has come to fulfill.

How then does God’s Law convict us of sin? Why does God’s Law convict us of sin? Is God’s Law sin? Absolutely not! Now listen to what Paul says. What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.” Romans 7: 7. Is this not true of partiality also? But if we are truthful, we will also confess, that we would not have known partiality, unless the law had said that I should not show favouritism, or partiality.

The Law convicts all who are under the Law. Is that not why the Pharisees, Scribes, Elders, Chief Priests, Teachers of the Law and other leaders were hypocritical in their service to God and people? Their hypocrisy in how partial they were in their dealing with people was staggeringly blatant, and Jesus could not be a part with any of it.  He called them out on their partiality, all the time. Listen to what Jesus said to some lawyers, in public, mind you, when they were railing about His tough, sword-piercing words to them. And he said, Woe to you also, lawyers! For you load men with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers. Luke 11: 46. 

Jesus knew full well that the law was holy, righteous, just and right. He knew the perfect intent and spirit of the law, that it was given by His Father, not to be a heavy, unbearable burden to be placed on His people. Yet these scholars of the law, those who studied it thoroughly and taught it to the people, were so grossly hypocritical in favouring themselves and their hierarchical, upper echelon, above the ordinary folk, it was chopped down by Jesus. It is from Jesus’ words that we learn just how partial they were. They would teach and preach the law, to the common folk, with burdensome works, demanding that they be kept, while each of them and their colleagues, did absolutely nothing to even try to keep one bit of the burdens of law.

Be very aware! The Law can only convict those who are under the Law. The Law cannot convict those who are under Jesus Christ. For the Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8: 2

Fake! To say the least, for showing any kind of partiality or favouritism, is blatant, inexcusable sin in the eyes of God.

To show partiality has no complex or simple way in the sight of God.

To show partiality is hypocrisy.

It is to commit sin and be convicted by the law as a transgressor.