The Book of James: Putting Faith to Work! (Chapter 5:7-12)

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

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Blessings!
Shane K. Morin <><

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