Continuing our series on the book of James, in James 2:8-13 James takes a shot at our self-justification by reminding us that we have have only one central thing to focus on: walking with God in loving obedience. He points us to the fact that we have all sinned and need mercy from God and mercy from one another.

The royal law, which Jesus identified as one of the two greatest commandments on which all the law and prophets depend, calls us to love others as ourselves. Our first and foremost responsibility is humble love for God, and from this love comes a selfless love for our others. When we neglect to love others and even forgive them, it shows that we have not fully understood and received the love of God for us. When we love others much, we demonstrate that we understand the beauty, relief, joy and wonder of being fully forgiven.