Think of it this way—James 2:10
James 2:10—
For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.
This is a pretty big statement. How could the Bible say that? How can you break all the laws by just breaking one?
Think of it this way.
God’s law is a masterpiece. That’s easy enough. Now consider a masterpiece created by man. Let’s say the Mona Lisa or Michelangelo’s David.
Suppose you are entrusted with that work of art for a couple of days. So you have the Mona Lisa in the back of a truck, take it to your house, and put it up on the wall for all to see. People who visit are in awe that you have the painting. They marvel at you for being so exquisite.
But after a few days, it is time to return the painting. On your way to the truck, though, you trip on the curb and fall. The painting goes with you.
Immediately you assess the damage. There is a small indentation, only the size of a pencil eraser, in the corner. But that is it. Relieved, you carefully place the painting in the truck and drive back to the Louvre.
The head curator is waiting for you. You open up the back of the truck, remove the painting from its protective packaging, and hand it over.
Almost as soon as you give the painting to the curator, he returns it to you.
“I cannot take this.”
“Why?” you ask.
“Did you think I would not notice? The painting is ruined.”
“You can’t be serious. It is only a tiny, tiny bump. No one else will notice.”
“It’s integrity has been compromised. You will have to pay for it.”
“How much?”
“Three-quarters of a billion dollars.”
“I don’t have that much money!”
“Then I am afraid you will be an indentured servant until you can pay it off.”
“There is no possible way I could ever pay that price.”
“Then find someone who can pay it for you, or you will die a slave.”
Now, I am sure that the Mona Lisa will not be available for personal loan, ever. And if it did, it would not have a “you-break-it-you-buy-it” policy. This is not a perfect parable. Still, it may help to think of the law as God’s masterpiece, which it is, that he entrusts to us. If we damage even the slightest part of that masterpiece by sinning, we are accountable for the entire law. You may also think of it as a gigantic puzzle. If you put together a puzzle but are missing a piece, when you look at the assembled puzzle, all you will be able to see is that empty spot. The puzzle is ruined.
We cannot pay the price of the damaged masterpiece. But Jesus can. As our savior and Lord, he pays the price, repairs the damage, and fills up the puzzle holes.
Lord, forgive me of my mistakes and my sins when I mess up and do not follow your law. Repair me and make me new. Save me and help me to be more like you.
