James 1:25 (NKJV) But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
Christians should have very different lifestyles and worldviews from unbelievers whose values, principles, and identities are of the world. Therefore, their ways of thinking, behavioural patterns, and speech will be different from what the Bible advocates. Also, they are governed by their flesh and the lust of their eyes because they are subject to the law of sin and death.
Romans 6:18,22 (NKJV) And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness….But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.
God is the one who has crafted the law, which makes it perfect. It was given and revealed by Him. The way of life which Jesus has laid down for His followers is in accordance with the will of God. Therefore, having an abundant life in terms of relationships with people and with God is the best kind of life that is within the law. Once upon a time, we were unable to overcome sin, and the law condemned us, but praise be to God that the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set us free from the law of sin and death because Jesus has fulfilled the righteous requirement of the law for us, and the new creation has enabled us to walk in righteousness with absolute freedom. When we know that we walk in the law of the Spirit in Christ Jesus, we will live our lives very differently.
Now that we have been freed from the bondage of sin and given the ability to live Holy Spirit-empowered lives, God expects us to live in holiness and righteousness. Knowing that we are already accepted by God, we need not worry about acceptance by the world and its standards. Instead, our concern should only be about living a life to glorify God. We would want to grow in Christlikeness and love for God and our neighbours, especially those from the household of believers, because we are the body of Christ.
1 Corinthians 10:23-24 (Amp) All things are lawful [that is, morally legitimate, permissible], but not all things are beneficial or advantageous. All things are lawful, but not all things are constructive [to character] and edifying [to spiritual life]. Let no one seek [only] his own good, but [also] that of the other person.
Therefore, once we know that all things are permissible but not of them are beneficial, we should choose to refrain from doing them even if they are permissible because we now think and behave very differently from the world, and what used to be important to us doesn’t matter anymore. The law doesn’t enslave us to the bondage of legalism but rather frees us to keep its precepts by an inward compulsion.
Sermon Series: Faith with works
完美的自由之法
雅各书1:25 唯有详细察看那全备、使人自由之律法的，并且时常如此，这人既不是听了就忘，乃是实在行出来，就在他所行的事上必然得福。
基督徒的生活方式和世界观与非信徒非常不同，因为非信徒的价值观、原则和身份属于世界。因此，非信徒的思维方式、行为模式和言谈举止将与圣经所教导的有所不同。并且，他们受肉体和眼目之欲的支配，因为他们受到罪与死亡律法的约束。
罗马书6:18,22 你们既从罪里得了释放，就作了义的奴仆…但现今，你们既从罪 里得了释放，作了神的奴仆，就有成圣的果子，那结局就是永生。
神是律法的制定者，使律法完美无瑕，因祂亲自赐下并启示。耶稣为祂的跟随者设立的生活之道，完全符合神的旨意。因此，在人际关系和与神的关系中拥有丰盛的生命，才是符合律法的最佳生活方式。曾几何时，我们无法战胜罪，律法定了我们的罪，但感谢神，赐生命的圣灵的律在基督耶稣里释放了我们脱离罪与死的律，因为耶稣已经为我们成全了律法的公义要求，新造的生命使我们能够在完全的自由中行走在公义之中。当我们知道自己行在基督耶稣里的圣灵律中，我们的生活必会截然不同。
既然我们已从罪的捆绑中得释放，并被赐予过圣灵充满的生活的能力，神期望我们活出圣洁与公义。既然我们已经被神接纳，就不必再为是否符合世俗标准而忧虑。相反，我们应专注于过一个荣耀神的生活。我们要在基督的样式上成长，并增进对神和邻舍的爱，尤其是对信徒家人们的爱，因为我们是基督的身体。
哥林多前书10:23-24 凡事都可行，但不都有益处。凡事都可行，但不都造就人。无论何人，不要求自己的益处，乃要求别人的益处。
因此，当我们知道凡事都可行，但不都是有益的时候，即使是可行的事情，我们也应选择避免去做，因为我们如今的思想和行为已与世人截然不同，过去对我们重要的事物现在已不再重要。律法并非将我们束缚在律法主义的捆绑中，而是通过内在的推动力使我们自由地遵守其教导。
讲章系列：有行动的信心
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