Hello Friends!
Welcome Back! Let’s continue our journey through “The
Book of James: Putting Faith to Work!”
The Book of James: Putting Faith to Work! (Chapter 5:7-12)
This
week we will continue our reading of verses 7-12
in chapter 5
as we consider Patience Through
Trials…
Beloved,
we don't need to be “reminded”
that we all have “trials”
and none of us escapes them! However, we do
need to be “reminded” from
time to time about the need to be “patient”
in and through our “trials” in life. And that is exactly
what this wonderful section of James epistle addresses – Being patient in the midst of trials!
All
the books, seminars, lessons, sermons, teachings, biblical counselors and
worldly psychologists cannot remove or alleviate our “trials” nor can they be eliminated from this
world. No one escapes this reality, as anything from a flat tire on the freeway
to the death of a mate and everything in between adversely
affects our lives to some extent. This tremendous “truth” is the reflection of God’s “curse” on the “sinful” and “disobedient” fallenness of “man” and this wicked
“world” system – The curse of God exists because of sin!
Patience Through Trials
For
the “Christian” there is a unique
form of “trials” that
non-Christians will never experience. What kind? The “trials” of persecution for the “truth” of God! True “believers” are “persecuted” for the sake
of Jesus Christ. This is a kind of “tribulation”
and “suffering” that the rest
of the “world” does not
have to experience. Why? Because
“lost” people belong to the “wicked one” of this “world” and “know
not” the “truth”
of God. Therefore, “we” as “followers” of Jesus Christ must endure
the rampant “rejection” of a hostile
society that rejects the “gospel”
message – Even within the church!
And
certainly the Jewish “brethren”
to whom James was writing here were specifically
experiencing the trouble of “persecution”
coming from their own Jewish “countrymen” of which made it doubly
difficult to bear. As a result, back in verses
1 to 6 of our previous study James condemns the
“wicked wealthy” Jews for
their harassment of the true “believers.”
And now in this study our passage speaks directly to the “Christians” being “persecuted” for their “faith” in Jesus Christ and “reminds” them of the godly attitude they are to uphold – This is a very practical section of Scripture!
In
fact, James provides for us SIX
practical KEYS to being
patient during “trials” with other
people:
KEY
number ONE: Anticipate
the Lord's "coming!"
KEY number
TWO: Recognize
the Lord's "judgment!"
KEY
number THREE: Follow
the Lord's "servants!"
KEY
number FOUR: Understand
the Lord's "blessing!"
KEY
number FIVE: Realize
the Lord's "purpose!"
KEY
number SIX: Consider
the Lord's "character!"
Therefore,
let’s continue with these encouraging
thoughts from pastor James concerning “patience”
in our “trials” of life…
KEY
number ONE: Anticipate
the Lord's "coming!"
Therefore
be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits
for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives
the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the
coming of the Lord is at hand – James
5:7-8
CONTEXTUAL COMMENTS: Let's look at that
word "patient" for a
moment. The Greek word hupomone of which was used back in chapter 1 is translated as "trials” or “temptations"
and means to “endure” adverse circumstances.
The same Greek word hupomone here in our passage has to do with “enduring” adverse people.
Therefore, the application for the true “Christian” has to do with the “fruit-filled” ability “empowered” by the Holy Spirit to be “patient” in all circumstances.
And here in this poignant passage it refers to being “patient” towards the “trials” of “oppression”
coming from the “wicked wealthy”
outlined earlier in our study – Context is very
important!
Often
times we long to go to “heaven”
and it’s dearer to us the more we “suffer” in this wicked “world” system. It's the pain
of “persecution” that causes
this anticipation. Therefore, James offers us a simple
illustration of the “farmer”
which conveys the idea of “waiting”
expectantly and “patiently’ for something outside
of himself. The Greek term means he “waits”
for his crop of “precious
fruit” to come. Thus, the harvest of the “farmer” depends on the providence of God in bringing together all of the necessary components of nature
including the “early and
latter rain” to cause the crop “at hand” to grow. This is true of “our” lives as well! Beloved, “we” too must be “patient” as we “establish” our “hearts” throughout the various “seasons” of life for – The soon coming of the Lord!
HISTORICAL HINTS: In Israel the main “rain” comes twice a
year. A “farmer” plants in the
autumn season and the “early rain”
falls in the planting season of October and November. And
then sporadic rain falls in the growth season through
December, January and into February. But then the “latter rain” falls in March and April for
the harvest season. Therefore, James is saying “we” must “wait”
on the Lord from the “early rain”
when planting God’s “truth”
in “our” hearts “until” the “latter
rain” when harvesting God’s “righteousness” in “our” lives. In other words, we must
be “patient” and “wait” for the spiritual
results! This permanent promise from God is nothing
like the little child who plants the seed in the ground one day and then runs
out to the garden the next day, sticks his grubby little hand into the dirt and
pulls it out to see if it's growing… Conversely, the diligent and faithful “farmer” is not at all like the silly and
immature child – The wise and mature
believer plants and waits upon the Lord!
KEY number
TWO: Recognize
the Lord's "judgment!"
Do not
grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge
is standing at the door! – James
5:9
Next
James warns the “brethren” not
to “grumble’
against “one another”
in their “walk” with the Lord
or they will be “condemned” by Him. Why? Because living under “persecution” can create all kinds of frustration
and hostility towards the persecutor of which inevitably
makes the offended person bitter against the other people
around them. The idea here is that people “living”
in difficulty can become so embittered
that they lose “patience” not
only with their persecutor and with those of whom are
trying to provide help and comfort
but even towards God Himself – Misplaced sinful frustration!
James
then warns: “Behold” the “Judge” is “standing”
at the “door” to judge! Why? Perhaps James had in mind here the fake
“Christians” and could be
referring to their final “eternal judgment”
of damnation. However, even true “Christians” will be “judged” for our “works” of service
unto the Lord in THIS life
– To serve Him in the next…
THEOLOGICAL THOUGHTS: There is going to be
an “accounting” time for all “believers” when we will “appear” before “Jesus Christ” and our “works” will be “revealed by fire” and we'll “receive” the “loss” or “reward”
from Him in accordance with our service unto our Savior.
The Apostle Paul taught the true “believers”
in Rome and Corinth that “we”
will “all stand before the
judgment seat of Christ” one day:
But why
do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we
shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written: “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every
tongue shall confess to God.” So then each
of us shall give account of himself to God – Romans 14:10-12
For no
other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones,
wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare
it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s
work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he
will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he
himself will be saved, yet so as through fire – 1 Corinthians 3:11-15
For we
must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive
the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad
– 2 Corinthians 5:10
Therefore
“we” must all “stand” before the “Judgment Seat of Christ” to “receive” our “rewards” or to “suffer” our “losses” whether “good or bad” in regards to our service
unto the Lord for our FUTTURE
life in the “Millennial Kingdom”
yet to come – Maranatha Lord Jesus!
In
either scenario, ALL “believers”
AND “unbelievers”
will face the eternal “Lord”
and “Judge”
of the universe at the appropriate time – Jesus
is ready to burst into judgment!
KEY
number THREE: Follow
the Lord's "servants!"
My
brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example
of suffering and patience – James
5:10
When
we are journeying through the “trails”
and “sufferings” of life, we
need someone as a model to follow. So James encourages
the “brethren” to “take” the “prophets”
of the Old Testament as they “spoke”
in the “name of the Lord”
as an “example” of the great “suffering” and “patience” displayed through their lives.
In fact, Jesus Christ “gave”
of Himself as the greatest
Godly “example” for “us” to emulate:
For I gave you an example that
you also should do as I did to you – John 13:15
That's
what an excellent “example” is
to be! Jesus says “do as I did”
and imitate the conduct of the “prophets” of old. They “suffered” and were “patient” in their “trails” of greatest
difficulty. In other words, the “brothers”
who “belong” to the community
of “faith” must – Follow their pattern!
KEY
number FOUR: Understand
the Lord's "blessing!"
Indeed
we count them blessed who endure – James
5:11a
What
James is saying here is to “count”
the Lord's “blessings”
bestowed upon His people who “endure”
abundantly. By the way, God’s “blessings”
do not come to God’s people who do “great”
things. God’s “blessings” come
to His people who endure
“great” things – Praise the Lord!
KEY
number FIVE: Realize
the Lord's "purpose!"
You
have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord – James 5:11b
In
other words, consider this: God has a purpose in your “trials” and “suffering” in life! The “perseverance” of “Job” was one of the most popular
and familiar stories of Jewish tradition. Why? Because it is the story of a “righteous” man and a
“compassionate” God. The
Jewish people loved to tell that story! God blessed “Job” for his “persevering” life of “faith” and had a wonderfully
planned “end” in “mind” for him. What end? It was a great blessing for
the man “Job” who had “endured” and ultimately defeated
Satan’s “evil” plans as “intended”
for him – In the mighty power of God!
KEY
number SIX: Consider
the Lord's "character!"
that
the Lord is very compassionate and merciful – James 5:11c
Therefore,
whatever you're going through, the “Lord”
is “compassionate” and “merciful” in “our” lives every day
just as the Prophet Jeremiah
expressed in his lament:
The Lord’s loving kindnesses indeed never cease, for His
compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness
– Lamentations 3:22-23
God
has a massive capacity for
“compassion” and He expresses
it – Deeply, broadly and faithfully!
Stop Swearing!
Making
promises to other people and wanting them to respect us
can often times demand that we “swear”
an “oath” of some kind. Why? Because people may not believe
we are telling them the “truth!”
Therefore, “swearing” and
giving “oaths” is really a device
of man based upon his “sinful”
bent towards dishonesty. In fact, “lying” became an issue in the “church” to which James writes. How? These Jews were holding to “oaths” of all kinds
because it was so much a part of historic Jewish culture. And when some of them
had simply named the “name”
of Jesus Christ in a vain “religious”
pomp, they brought their silly “heaven”
and “earth” oathing system
right along with them into the true “assembly”
of God. Therefore, James addresses this wicked issue of “swearing” an
“oath”
head-on:
But
above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any
other oath. But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall
into judgment – James
5:12
As
James closes this poignant passage, he says that “above all” we shouldn't be
surprised at his great concern of God’s “judgment” here. Why? Because this “oath” taking is directly related
to another TEST of our “tongue” manifest through our “mouth” – Right?
Therefore, the true “brethren”
must “let” our “Yes” be “Yes”
and our “No,” “No”
to avoid – God’s deep
displeasure!
POINTS TO PONDER: We often invent silly
“oaths” and even in some cases
promote “curses” imposed upon ourselves
before God. Why? Because we often
“lie” to people and thus have
also “learned” in life that
other people can't be trusted to keep their word either!
Therefore, these “sinful”
kinds of “oaths” were a part
of the culture in biblical times just as they are with us today. After all, “unregenerate” humanity is designated
throughout the Holy Scriptures as
the “children of the devil”
and incidentally, the “devil”
is the “father of lies”
himself. As a result, people will go to unbelievable extremes
to try to “bind” someone to
the “truth” of their word. The
fact is that all such actions are predicated on man's
basic “sinfulness” in the
context of “evil” human – Foolish fallen flesh!
In
fact, James is repeating his big Brother Jesus Christ in reiterating
this great “truth” through the
opening segment of His Sermon on the Mount
found in the Gospel of Matthew:
But let your statement be,
‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’; anything beyond these is of evil – Matthew
5:37
And
if you've been with us up to this point in our “study”
of James’ excellent epistle, you should “know”
that he has diligently dealt with the “evil”
potential of our “speech” in EVERY
chapter – And this is no exception!
In closing:
Think back to your childhood…
When
you were a kid, did you ever try to convince somebody you
were really telling them the truth? Did you ever say something like: "I
swear to God?" How about this one: "I swear on a stack
of Bibles!" Or what about this one: "Cross my heart,
hope to die, stick a needle in my eye!" I’m sure you did!
Brethren, I assure you that I’ve indeed quoted these silly sayings – A few too many times!
REAL REFLECTIONS: Beloved, our “speech” should always
be so honest and full of integrity
and credibility that the only response people will need
from “us” is a simple “YES” or “NO” answer. Why?
Because our word is our bond. And
that's certainly the way it ought to be throughout the “church” of Jesus Christ! How about YOU? When you “speak” in general, does everyone know
that it is absolutely true and that you will stand
behind your word? – The Lord knows!
Keep looking up and sharing the Gospel while there is still time… Hallelujah
and Maranatha – come quickly Lord Jesus!
We are not guaranteed tomorrow – tomorrow may be too late! If you haven't yet made that most important decision of your life, won't you make Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior today - before it's too late? Today is the day of Salvation!
If you have been blessed by this message or have a specific question, prayer request or testimony, please send me a note to: encouragingconcepts@live.com
I love hearing from you. Keep reading Encouraging Concepts!
Blessings!
Shane K. Morin <><
Encouraging Concepts
Truth for Today
"Living Life From a Biblical Worldview"Lighthouse Publications <><
