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By heightening the ancient law, Jesus placed the observance of the Jewish law in a new light. He would have his followers live in responsible freedom. James calls it the law that gives freedom (v.12). It is the spirit with which one approaches the observance of the law that makes the difference between fulfillment and failure. Many of James' contemporaries had adopted an attitude toward the law that allowed them to ignore or violate certain points that did not suit them. They considered themselves approved of God as long as their credits exceeded their debits in observance of the law. But this is contrary to the basic purpose of the law, namely, to make the gathered ones truly the people of God. Excluding just one regulation makes God’s goal impossible of attainment. A change in attitude toward the law shifts attention from self and its merits to others and their needs.