What Does the ‘Royal Law’ Really Mean for Us Today?

James 2:8

James 2:8 says, “You do well if you fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.'” This verse is a powerful reminder of the importance of love in the Christian life.

The word “royal” in this verse suggests that loving our neighbour is not just good to do, but it is something that is commanded by God. It is the law of the kingdom of heaven.

What is the royal law?

The royal law is the commandment to love your neighbour as yourself. It is found in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. In the Old Testament, it is found in Leviticus 19:18. In the New Testament, it is found in Matthew 22:37-39 and Mark 12:30-31.

Why is the royal law so important?

The royal law is important because it is the summary of the entire law of God. Jesus said that the greatest commandment is to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and the second greatest commandment is to love your neighbour as yourself. He said that all the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments (Matthew 22:37-40).

What does it mean to love your neighbour as yourself?

To love your neighbour as yourself means to treat others the way you want to be treated. It means to be kind, compassionate, and forgiving. It means to put the needs of others before your own. It means to stand up for what is right, even when it is difficult.

How can we fulfil the royal law?

We can fulfil the royal law by following the example of Jesus Christ. Jesus loved everyone, even those who were different from him or who had wronged him. He forgave those who crucified him. He taught his disciples to love their enemies and to do good to those who hated them (Matthew 5:44).

Following are some specific ways that we can fulfil the royal law in our everyday lives:

Be kind and compassionate to others, even those who are different from you or who have wronged you.

Be forgiving.

Put the needs of others before your own.

Stand up for what is right, even when it is difficult.

Help those in need.

Show mercy and grace to others.

Be a good listener.

Be honest and trustworthy.

Encourage others.

Celebrate the successes of others.

Forgive yourself.

What are some benefits of fulfilling the royal law?

When we fulfil the royal law, we experience God’s love and blessing in our own lives. We also make the world a better place for everyone.

The royal law is a call to action. It is a call to love others the way that Jesus loved us. When we fulfill the royal law, we become more like Christ and we bring the kingdom of God to earth.

Citations:

The Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV)

Love Your Neighbor as Yourself: The Royal Law of Christianity by C.S. Lewis

Loving the Difficult: What the Bible Says About Dealing with People You Don’t Like by David Platt

The Art of Loving: Erich Fromm by Erich Fromm

Additional thoughts

The command to love our neighbour as ourselves is not always easy to follow. There will be times when we are tempted to be selfish or to treat others poorly. But when we remember that God loves us and has commanded us to love others, we can overcome these temptations.

We can also ask God for help to love our neighbours. He is always willing to give us the strength and wisdom we need to obey His commands.

Let us all commit to loving our neighbours as ourselves. When we do, we will make the world a better place and experience the many benefits that come with loving others.

🌹Each morning, I receive an inspiring wake-up call from His Excellency, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Selvister Ponnumuthan, the Bishop of Punalur in Kerala, India. Today’s blog post draws inspiration from the verses he shared in his morning message.

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