One Lawgiver


One Lawgiver. James, in chapter 4, verses 11 and 12, reminds us that we have not been given the authority to judge one another for only God has that authority.



11 Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. 12 There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another?

James 4:11-12, NKJV



One Lawgiver. James, in chapter 4, verses 11 and 12, reminds us that we have not been given the authority to judge one another for only God has that authority.


One Lawgiver - Words of Jesus

There were none more judgmental when Jesus walked this earth than the Pharisees and the Sadducees. They had instituted such a system of works that no-one could actually obey them. Yet, in their view, obedience to their traditions were required to please God.


How did Jesus respond to their judgmental spirit and self righteousness?


37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment.39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

Matthew 22:37-40, NKJV


All of the Old Testament laws hung or were fulfilled in these two commandments. Yet, even simplifying it in such a way, do we truly have the ability in and of ourselves to obey these commandments? No! Do we, then, have the right or even ability to judge others? No!


One Lawgiver - God

12 There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another?


In verse 12 James tells us that there is only one Lawgiver and that Lawgiver is God. Because God gave the the law and is perfect and righteous He not only can righteously judge us, but He is also able to save and to destroy.


The Lord Jesus Christ, through His perfect blood shed on the cross for our sins has made a way for us to come to God so that we may be saved from eternal death and punishment. God, the Righteous One, knows our hearts. When He makes that final judgment He will make no mistakes.


As James tells us, God can save us, but God can also destroy us. Such an unimaginable gift has been given to us. We must only reach out and accept the payment Christ made for our sins and we are saved forever!


Why, then, do most people ignore this offer of salvation.? People have been fed a lie by Satan. They believe they are good enough to get to Heaven if there really is one and they can perfectly handle the affairs of their life without any interposition by God.


The Jewish people in Jesus' Day understood that God was the only Lawgiver. The Old Testament was filled with references to God as being the only Lawgiver. Here are three passages from Psalms, Isaiah, and the book of Joel.


One Lawgiver - Old Testament Verses

19 Arise, O Lord,

Do not let man prevail;
Let the nations be judged in Your sight.
20 Put them in fear, O Lord,
That the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah

Psalm 9:19, NKJV


He shall judge between the nations,
And rebuke many people;
They shall beat their swords into plowshares,
And their spears into pruning hooks;
Nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
Neither shall they learn war anymore.

Isaiah 2:4, NKJV


“Let the nations be wakened, and come up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat;
For there I will sit to judge all the surrounding nations.

Joel 3:12, NKJV


Joel 3:12 is a sobering verse. All nations--all people--will come to the Valley of Jehoshaphat and be judged by God. 


How will we fare at that judgment? Will we have claimed the blood of Jesus to cover our sins and thus be saved, or will we be cast into outer darkness forever?





James 4 Devotionals

Ask and Thou Shalt Receive - verses 1-5

He Resists the Proud - verse 6

Resist the Devil - verses 7-10

One Lawgiver - verses 11 & 12

Boast in Weakness - verses 13-17



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Book of James

James 1

James 2

James 3

James 4

James 5

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