Live in terms of the settled judgment that the joy of heaven will make amends of any losses and crosses, stains and pains that we must endure on earth if we are going to follow Christ faithfully. Regard preparedness to die as the first step in learning to live. Joel Beeke
After addressing the unbelieving nations, James turns his attention back to his congregation, calling them brothers and sisters.
James 5:7 Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! 10 Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
James counsels his congregation to remain patient in the face of the ongoing persecution. He again assures them that Christ will come to judge their persecutors. This was a great comfort to the persecuted first century church and, with hindsight, it is also a great comfort to the church today. God will not abandon his faithful children.
Christ had promised that the generation that crucified him would be alive when he came in judgment. Matthew 24:1-34 In fact, in the Book of Revelation we are shown a picture of the martyrs in heaven, who were killed during this first century persecution, asking when their deaths would be avenged by God. Revelation 6:9 And, of course, that is exactly what happened. In 70 A.D. those who had cried let his blood be on us and on our children Matthew 27:22-25 were judged. Israel was left in ruins. Millions of apostates were either killed or sold into slavery. While that was a one time historical event, we can take comfort today, knowing that Christ is reigning in heaven, overseeing and protecting his bride, the church. Matthew 28:18 We must never forget:
The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. Psalm 34:7
The Lord our King he will save us. Isaiah 33:22
After asking his congregation to be patient, James gives them four examples of the type of patience they are to have.
First, James tells his congregation to consider the patience of the farmer. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.
The farmer must wait for the autumn rains in October or November before he is able to plant the fall crop. He must then be patient as the crop matures for harvest. He must wait for the spring rains in April or May, before he can plant the spring crop. Similarly, the early Jerusalem Christians must be patient in awaiting God’s judgment on those who chased them out of Jerusalem. They must wait patiently. They will only be able to return home in God’s timing.
Second, James says, Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! You would not want to be in the middle of an argument with your spouse when your invited guests arrive for a dinner party. Well, this is the same thing. Christ’s coming is near. In fact, the judge is standing at the door. You don’t want to be arguing with, judging and condemning fellow believers when Christ comes. There should be unity in the church. Make sure you are ready.
Third, James points his congregation to the prophets as examples of patiently enduring persecution.
Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered.
Look at the prophet Jeremiah, for example. He was locked in stocks, Jeremiah 20:2, he was thrown into prison, Jeremiah 32:2, and he was sunk in a huge muddy cistern, Jeremiah 38:6. Through it all he remained unwavering. He never displayed anger or bitterness. He continued to be faithful to God, God’s word, and God’s people. He patiently endured, looking forward to God’s promise.
Forth, James points to the example of Job. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
Job is a prime example of one who was blessed because he persevered. Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. James 1:12
And what did the Lord bring about for Job?
Though he lost everything, his children, his home, and his business, because Job stood up under the trial and persevered, God gave him twice as much as he had before the trial. Job 42:10-17 Similarly, James is encouraging his congregation to demonstrate long-suffering patience toward those selfish, wealthy, vicious religious leaders and neighbors who are oppressing them. Christians are never to wallow in their discrimination. They are not to lament that they are victims. They are not to retaliate. They are to be willing to suffer with Christ, while holding on to the sure promise that Christ will never abandon them.
We are surrounded by people and forces in this world that are intent on destroying Christians. What these people don’t understand is that their false beliefs and ideologies will end up destroying them. Ideologies that reject God are nothing more than false idols.
James 5:12 Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear – not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned.
James had urged the brothers and sisters not to fight and grumble against on another. James 5:9 Frequently today when grumbling, disagreements, and disputes break out we resort to trying to justify ourselves saying things like “I swear to God that I am right”. In ancient times people would swear by heaven or earth to try to convince folks of their sincerity. Christ taught his disciples that they should be people of such integrity that their word would be enough. Anything else is unnecessary and actually a sin.
Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ Anything more comes from the evil one. Matthew 5:27
Modern Western Christians thought their task was to make the Gospel intelligible to the world, rather than to help the world understand why the world could not be intelligible without the Gospel. We have been beguiled by our establishment status and forgot that to be a Christian is to be part of an army. We are preaching in the midst of a war. Stanley Haverwas
In early 2020 the Akha tribal leaders in Laos held a meeting in which they demanded that the Christians in the village renounce their “Jesus religion” and return to the Akha customs and worship. When the Christians said that they would not renounce their faith in Christ they were driven out of the village. Then the village leaders had the Christian’s belongings loaded on trucks and dumped outside of town at an abandoned farm. Finally, the leaders destroyed the Christian’s homes.
Return to The Letter of James.