
True religion affects the inner person leading to holiness in the outward life. So, the question is the same Jesus asked his followers, ‘Why do you call me
Lord but do not do as I say?’ James is an inward exercise of looking at the heart forcing us to think about what is ‘true religion’. And by religion we do not mean, the outward ritualistic trappings of ‘Church’, but a heart connection to Christ and how that affects behavior in obedience to God's Grace. It seems dichotomous to say that law brings freedom. To us, law means restriction. But we will see that law does actually bring freedom. Remember, God is holy, gracious, and unchanging. How are we to live in obedience to him as Lord?