Transgressors

Let’s refresh our memories concerning this single-sentence text of James, warning, reminding, cautioning and encouraging the churches in the way of truth in Christ Jesus, Head of the Church. We are reminded that James, a Spirit-filled disciple, is a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. Throughout the week, thus far, we have been listening to and meditating on this verse. But if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. James 2: 9.

This text, brought to us in expanded, illuminated, Spiritual light, has revealed four huge words, three of which we have already pondered and meditated upon.  

The first huge word was partiality – But if you show partiality.

We concluded that to show partiality has no big or small way in the sight of God. To show partiality is heavy. It is a sin.

The second huge word was, commit – You commit sin. 

We concluded that to show partiality has no high or low way in the sight of God. To show partiality is the height of sin. It is a sin.

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

We concluded that to show partiality has no complex or simple way in the sight of God. To show partiality is hypocrisy. It is a sin.

As we come to the final huge word in our text, many a receiving believer, is even more anxious, curious, ready and rearing to plunge headlong into this sea of undiminished truth.

The fourth huge word is, transgressors - You are convicted by the law as transgressors.

Transgressing is huge in heresy. When we sin, we are called sinners. When we transgress, we are called transgressors. I have to admit that when I heard this, I thought to myself, aren’t they not one and the same? I don’t know where your mind is on this, but wherever it is, what you are about to receive and meditate upon will certainly cause flutters in your heart, stir movements in your mind and propel changes in your ways. We shall open this up as two windows in the same house, through which we are looking. We are invited to take and look at transgressors as one window and sin, as one window. We are all in one house, looking through these two windows of faith, in relation to transgression and sin.  We first stand at the window of transgressors.

The word itself, transgress, carries a prefix – trans - that is widely used in many different settings. With its wide range of usage, its versatility and freedoms, it is very interesting to note that the word itself, never ever changes its positioning or pronouncing. For example we speak of transatlantic, transgender, transfer and transparent, to list a few. The word, trans, always precedes, never follows. As a prefix, trans, always keeps its position.  Additionally, the word trans does not change its pronouncement. It tells you that a specific change has taken place, a cross-over has occurred. When, for example, you transfer schools or jobs, you change or cross over from one school or job, to another school or job. Be very clear on this matter. You are changing or crossing over from one in the same likeness or arena.

What I mean is this. When you transfer schools, you are still in the gamut of institutions of learning, not outside of it. This is very important and we ought to be always mindful of it. When we transgress, and are convicted by the Law as transgressors, it is because we have changed and crossed over onto the other side. We cross over to what is not of God, ways that are not God’s ways.

What does the Bible offer us concerning transgressors? We are receiving from the KJV in this.

And they transgressed against the God of their fathers, and went a whoring after the gods of the people of the land, who God destroyed before them. 1 Chronicles 5: 25. God’s covenant people, those to whom He pledged on oath to be their God and they responded by pledging that they will worship Him and Him only as their God, have transgressed. They have crossed over. They have changed and gone over to pagan worship, adopting the sensual, attractive, colourful and enticing worship of the pagans.

We look now at what is said about Uzziah, who became king when he was only sixteen years of age. And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah did. 2 Chronicles 26: 4. However, although he loved God, as God blessed him and he became stronger and mightier a ruler, pride seeped in. But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the LORD his God by entering the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the altar of incense. 2 Chronicles 26: 16. Uzziah changed his position of humility, where he was daily confirmed by God as one of humble heart, to one who now carried a proud heart. He then knew the condemnation of God. 

We are holding fast to this simple, yet huge fact that to be a transgressor, is to change positions, to cross over or go over to the other side. Here is one final example that gives ever fuller understanding to the meaning of the word transgressor, or to transgress.

Our eyes are on the prodigal son’s brother, the good and faithful brother who is now angry at the father’s generous and loud welcome response to his prodigal brother. When the father comes out to his angry son, reasoning truth with him, this is all the truth this angry son is able to see. Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends. Luke 15: 29b.

Note how this non-truant son, states his claim. He is a non-transgressor of his father’s commandment. He has not gone over, crossed over to another ruler’s commandment.

I wonder, is this our voice in this point in time?

We continue and conclude tomorrow.