The Epistle of James - Godly Values
Part 37 - Patience
James 5v7-11
8th March 2019
James has been writing about persecution and injustice, assuring us that the wicked and the persecutors will receive from the Lord the punishment that they deserve. Meanwhile, how should a Christian respond to the wickedness and persecution he witnesses and perhaps suffers? James says:
James 5v7-8
Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land
to yield its valuable crop, and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains.
You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near.
The first century Judean church suffered severe torment. In Britain today we don't suffer as they did, but some of us do suffer. Some of us have lost our jobs, or been thrown out of university, or been taunted at work, because we believe the Bible. And in some other countries, our brothers and sisters suffer terribly. Many have been imprisoned, tortured and killed for their faith in Jesus Christ. Whatever we're going though, James tells us to be patient.
There's something about Englishness that really riles against injustice, especially when it's injustice against ourselves, isn't there? We complain to God that "it's so unfair", like teenagers talking to their dad, don't we? James counsels us to be patient, like a farmer waiting for the rain and then for the harvest. Yes, there is injustice in this world but the Lord's coming is near, and we should wait for His justice.
You can read that two ways. You can say that the second coming is soon, whatever "soon" is. We should "be patient and stand firm" because we know He's coming. The Lord will not delay. He knows the perfect moment to come back. And when He does, He will do perfect justice. Live as if Jesus will come back tomorrow. Live as if justice will be done any minute.
It's hard for us to understand, isn't it? God says, "Vengeance is mine. I will repay". (Romans 12v19, quoting Deuteronomy 32v35). We usually take that to mean, "don't you go repaying; it's God's job, not yours". But there's something else here. We can be assured that God will repay. Perfect justice will be done, when Jesus comes back. That's why we should "Stand firm" and be patient. We will be rewarded with eternal treasure in heaven for every time we're mistreated and we love anyway. Every time someone speaks against us, acts against us, persecutes us, lies about us, but we do the right thing anyway, we're blessed because we will be rewarded.
Some people, however, read this passage differently. James was writing to the first century Judean church. They had heard that Jesus had prophesied that the Romans would destroy Jerusalem in 70 AD (Matthew 24) effectively ending the Jewish state, and so ending much of the persecution the Judean church was enduring. So perhaps James is encouraging them hang on, because that particular persecution would end soon (although, of course, the church has been persecuted ever since).
The second coming will happen and will be glorious beyond your imagining. Perfect justice will be done then, and not until then. But God comes both in blessing and in judgement all the time. God came in judgement on the Soviet Union. We'll always remember the fall of the Berlin wall in 1989. He came in judgement on York Minster in 1984, when a bolt of lightening hit it three days after a heretical bishop was appointed there. God came in judgement on Judea in 70 AD, through the agency of the Roman army.
In the same way, the Old Testament prophets had predicted that the Babylonians, and the Assyrians, and the Greeks would invade Judea and persecute the people.
James 5v9
Don't grumble against each another, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing
at the door!
God's reward is coming soon. We'll step off this planet soon, and perfect judgement will be done. Your oppressors will be punished and you will be rewarded. Five years from now, certain business people and politicians will be burning in hell. The judge is standing at the door. Don't demand justice now, because justice is coming, and it's certain. Be patient.
And don't grumble. James seems to be saying that grumbling is just another form of oppression. And it is. Why not be encouraging? Why not find something nice to say about the other person, rather than say something negative. Why not at least obey my old granny's instruction, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all".
James 5v10-11
Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke
in the name of the Lord.
As you know, we consider 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.
Jeremiah was persecuted by God's people for speaking the truth. Isaiah, if we believe the tradition, was put in a log and sawn in half. Their reward in heaven is enormous. Justice will be done.
Follow their example. Speak the truth anyway. Do the right thing anyway. Some of us have been thrown out of our jobs. Some of us have been thrown out of our university. Some of us won't get particular jobs because we admit we're Christians, because we admit certain biblical teaching. Be patient. Love everybody. And we know God will bless those who persevere.
Keep going. Often being a Christian is just about continuing to put one put in front of the other. There are great days when you just want to dance and sing for joy. There are other days when you do well if you just keep going. Keeping going is better than not keeping going, and will be rewarded.
Job suffered more than most of us. But in the end, God blessed and rewarded Job. Job had one of the most interesting interviews with God that anyone has ever had, and God restored to him all he had lost. Stick with God, do the right thing, and you will be rewarded, eventually.
We don't like "eventually", do we? We want justice now. But God promises absolute justice when Christ returns. And He promises us His reward, much more than we deserve, for the times we just obey Him anyway.
Having a bad time? Finding it difficult? Struggling a bit? Someone's just ripped you off again? Don't take it out of the person who's made you miserable. Don't take it out on your brothers and sisters in Christ. Take it to the Lord. The Lord is full of compassion. He will heal your heart. He will make you whole. He is full of... mercy.