Who states that James is a man of the law, is right, but we should add that James is a man of the perfect law, the law that gives freedom (:25).
We live in the end time, a time of great deception. Worldwide we see persecution, wars and disasters. Although it might seem that the situation is not that bad in the current western world, yet there is oppression and deception. Jesus has said that at the end of the age of mercy - shortly before His return - because of the increase of lawlessness, the love of most will grow cold (Matthew 24:12 NRSV). Jesus spoke about lawlessness, because on the outside people appear to us as righteous, but on the inside they are totally different (Matthew 23:28).
God’s law is more than the ten commandments. God’s law is even more than everything that is written in the Bible. God’s perfect law is the expression of His holy will. Those who love God, long to do His will and therefore crave for the understanding of His will. Not because they want to argue about it, but out of a willingness to do everything He says. Not in their own strength, but in the strength He gives to them if they go along with Him in obedience to their Lord. Those who do not love Him with all their heart, do not know this desire. To them the law of God is a burden; at best they find it interesting to philosophize about. God loathes these empty vessels and their smooth talk.
Not our knowledge of the Bible – which we acquire by studying – but only the word of God, planted in our heart by Himself, can save our souls.