James 2:1-26 tells us what kind of love Jesus has for people. Please read these 26 verses carefully. They are telling Christians to treat people not based on who they are, but on who we are as believers. We, as part of the royal lineage, are supposed to behave in a certain way. We do not treat people the way they deserve or the way they treat us, but we are to treat people the way the King would treat, has treated and does treat people.

THE ROYAL LAW is found in James 2:8-9...“If ye fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.”

1 Corinthians 13:1-7 reads, “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.”

Notice: Love suffereth long and is kind. It does not lose its temper easily and shows gentleness while listening to the other person as they explain a situation or an understanding of doctrine. Love envieth not. It does not get jealous and allow anger to creep into their heart until they erupt as a volcano and then will not listen to reason. Love vaunteth not itself and is not puffed up. Love does not behave itself rudely, arrogantly or angrily. Love is not selfish, demanding and insisting it is correct while profusely exhibiting anger, only trying to say it is righteous anger. Love is not easily provoked. Love does not speculate on a person’s guilt without giving them as much time as needed to listen to them and reason together for total truth. Love does not rejoice when another brother is in trouble or in sin. Love wants to know truth and accepts it even when it goes against their culture and family traditions. Love continues to forgive without holding anger or resentment, even when the other person is totally wrong and acting like a jerk. Love continues to turn the other cheek and take the insult, will turn the back and take the stripes, and will bear the arrogant attitudes, behaviors, jealousies, slander and conspiracies of others. Love does not threaten, sue, attack or prosecute, but continues to forgive, pray and hope for restoration constantly...no matter how long it takes...while guarding one’s heart against bitterness as a result of the other person’s actions. Love endureth all actions, attitudes and wrong treatment made against it and continues to forgive, seeking restoration and renewal of friendships and relationships.

Galatians 5:22-26 shows us the attitude, character and personality that each Christian should grow into. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.”

1 John 4:1 warns us to test whether the person’s own jealousy and anger is manifesting, or the attitude and spirit of the Holy Spirit. Again, we are to judge how a person comes to us according to the Scriptures, some of which I have listed in this article. “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.”

Matthew 12:35-37 states, “A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.”

1 Timothy 5:1 tells how our attitude should be when we confront a person, especially if they have been in ministry. “Rebuke not an elder, but entreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren.”

Matthew 18:15-17 reads, “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.”

One must make sure that he confronts the person with the correct motive, attitude and intent. As the Scriptures indicate above, we need to confront humbly and meekly with an entreating manner. We need to be open to discussion... “come let us reason together.” (Isaiah 1:18) Nobody fully understands all things, and no one is perfect. If we do not come with the proper disposition, then we fail to comply with the “Royal Law” which is love; not with vindication, indictment, anger ventilation, or reproof, but for restoration of relationship with the possibility that I may not fully understand the situation, or even the Scripture that is troubling me. This is not a “kangaroo court” where you take with you people with your disposition of prejudgment on the subject or issue. Sometimes taking brethren from your church could be a mistake if they are not humble, gentle and meek men willing to reason together; lest their entire fellowship is in error and all need to come into the correct light. Remember, disagreeing with someone over doctrine does not allow you to be angry, rude, short tempered and belligerent with that person. Disagreeing over doctrine, such as when the rapture will take place, or if you should strictly pay tithes to the local church, are not reasons to treat the person as a heathen or a publican. These are not salvation issues; neither are they sin issues.

Matthew 7:1-5 and Galatians 6:1-3 is an example of the manner and demeanor with which we need to come to others, lest one day we also are unfairly falsely accused and judged...“Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to they brother, Let me pull the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.” And “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.”

The Royal Law of Divine Love, which Christ manifests toward people and which He calls us all to exhibit, is also found in Matthew 5:38-48...“Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you,That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? Do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? Do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”

The Royal Law commands Jesus and His descendants (Christians) to forgive forever without malice. Matthew 18:21-22 reads, “Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.” Love does not say “I forgive you but, I am still throwing you out of the house.” Love does not say, “I forgive you, but you still must go to prison.” Love does not say, “I forgive you, but I still won’t meet with you to discuss the grievances and disagreements I have with you over Scripture”. Love does not refuse to meet with you until you repent. Love chases you...gently and humbly encouraging you to repent and helping you to see your blind spots and weaknesses. The following is an example of love not making conditions for forgiveness but unconditionally forgiving the person and the debt (grievance).

Matthew 18:23-35, “Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellow servants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellow servant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. So when his fellow servants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.”

As a member of the Royal Family, we must exhibit the humblest of attitudes with the most steadfast determination and effort to go after someone to renew the relationship. Love is renewal of relationships. Selfishness and pride is strife, discord, anger and separation. Pride puts conditions on friendships, whereas love “shall cover the multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8)

Our attitude should be as our Father’s in heaven which would do all He could to restore a relationship. Matthew 18:10-14 shows us the heart of our Royal Priest...“Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. How think ye? If a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.”

Is your attitude as Christ, who when totally innocent still forgave those who hated, mocked and killed him? Luke 22:63-64 and 23:33-34, “And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote him. And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee?... And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.”

The Royal Law is that we treat people as our Father does since we are part of the Royal Family. We do not show favoritism based on age, ancestry, wealth, position in society or any other prejudice or bias. Love is slow to anger, slow to judge, and quick to forgive. Love gives people what they need...not what they deserve. There should never be a smug, presumptuous attitude among those who are of the Royal Family. There should be a total desire and longing to always restore relationships. As the Scriptures warn us, “Test the spirit.” If this desire and attitude, coupled with genuine meekness, gentleness, and humility, is not a part of a person’s character, then something is desperately wrong with the spirit (pride/flesh) of this person. I personally will try continually to restore a relationship with someone, even when they consistently reject, malign, and show every sort of hostility toward me. I have told people, “You can reject me, insult me, threaten me and sue me, but I love you.” I have had people do all those things and much more, and I still genuinely love them and hold no malice against them and want to continue to be friends. This is where 1 John 4:1 comes into light, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God...” Does a person exhibit a true gentle, loving demeanor that earnestly desires to forgive and renew the relationship? A member of the Royal Family is supposed to! The following is an example of the unbiased attitude that we should have if we are to love people that are unlovely, as Christ loves us. I received this in an e-mail. It is titled, “Baby Erik and the Old Man.”

“We were the only family with children in the restaurant. I sat Erik in a high chair and noticed everyone was quietly eating and talking. Suddenly, Erik squealed with glee and said, “Hi there.” He pounded his fat baby hands on the high chair tray. His eyes were wide with excitement and his mouth was bared in a toothless grin. He wriggled and giggled with merriment. I looked around and saw the source of his merriment. It was a man with a tattered rag of a coat; dirty, greasy and worn. His pants were baggy with a zipper at half-mast and his toes poked out of would-be shoes. His shirt was dirty and his hair was uncombed and unwashed. His whiskers were too short to be called a beard, and his nose was so varicose it looked like a road map. We were too far from him to smell, but I was sure he smelled. His hands waved and flapped on loose wrists. “Hi there baby; hi there big boy. I see ya buster,” the man said to Erik. My husband and I exchanged looks, “What do we do?” Erik continued to laugh and answer, “Hi, hi there.” Everyone in the restaurant noticed and looked at us and then at the man. The old geezer was creating a nuisance with my beautiful baby. Our meal came and the man began shouting from across the room, “Do you know patty cake? Do you know peek-a-boo? Hey, look, he knows peek-a-boo.” Nobody thought the old man was cute. He was obviously drunk. My husband and I were embarrassed. We ate in silence; all except Erik, who was running through his repertoire for the admiring skid row bum, who in turn, reciprocated with his cute comments. We finally got through the meal and headed for the door. My husband went to pay the check and told me to meet him in the parking lot. The old man sat poised between me and the door. “Lord, just let me out of here before he speaks to me or Erik,” I prayed. As I drew closer to the man, I turned my back trying to side step him and avoid any air he might be breathing. As I did, Erik leaned over my arm, reaching with both arms in a baby’s pick me up position. Before I could stop him, Erik had propelled himself from my arms to the man’s. Suddenly, a very old smelly man and a very young baby consummated their love relationship. Erik in an act of total trust, love, and submission laid his tiny head upon the man’s ragged shoulder. The man’s eyes closed, and I saw tears hover beneath his lashes. His aged hands full of grime, pain, and hard labor, gently, so gently, cradled my baby’s bottom and stroked his back. No two beings have ever loved so deeply for so short a time. I stood awestruck. The old man rocked and cradled Erik in his arms for a moment, and then his eyes opened and set squarely on mine. He said in a firm commanding voice, “You take care of this baby.” Somehow I managed, I will, from a throat that contained a stone. He pried Erik from his chest unwillingly, longingly as though he was in pain. I received my baby, and the man said, “God bless you, ma’am, you’ve given me my Christmas gift.” I said nothing more than a muttered ‘thanks’. With Erik in my arms, I ran for the car. My husband was wondering why I was crying and holding Erik so tightly, and why I was saying, “My God, my God, forgive me.” I had just witnessed Christ’s love shown through the innocence of a tiny child who saw no sin, who made no judgment; a child who saw a soul, and a mother who saw a suit of clothes. I was a Christian who was blind, holding a child who was not. I felt it was God asking, “Are you willing to share your son for a moment?” when He shared His for eternity. The ragged old man, unwittingly, had reminded me, “To enter the Kingdom of God, we must become as little children.”

The Hebrew words ‘adah or kahol’ is translated “ekklesia” meaning the ‘called out’ . Are you really a part of the Royal Family exhibiting the Royal Law? 2 Corinthians 13:5...“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith: prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?”

We are not under the mosaic laws, which were laws governing the nation of Israel at that time. You are under the laws of the land in which you live. All are coming under the laws of the United Nations, whether they understand this or not. But the perfect law of Jesus Christ is the Royal Law which all of us need to willingly submit ourselves to and adhere to it, even when it violates other laws in the land! Jesus fulfilled the law, making it complete, and all other laws of nations are inferior. That is why many laws breed unforgiveness without justice and prosecutes instead of heals.

I find it ironic that many Christians choose to use the law of the land and civilly sue or criminally prosecute a brother instead of following the Royal Law and forgiving him. Mark 11:26 warns, “But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

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