James: More GraceSample

Will you keep trusting and obeying Christ, even through suffering?

Some of James’ readers are suffering unjustly. James wants to reassure these believers that one day these wrongs will be righted. The corrupt landowners who have abused them and ‘condemned … the innocent one’ (5:6) will be condemned themselves.

• So what does James call on his Christian brothers and sisters to do (vv. 7–8)?

When we are suffering unfairly, we want justice right now, today! But James tells his suffering readers that they will have to wait; they must be patient until the Lord comes. They must stand firm in their faith through all the days when God seems to be doing nothing to help them.

James points these believers to the example of the farmer. The farmer plants his seeds and then he too has to wait to receive what he wants. He waits for the seasonal rains his plants need to grow and for the land to produce its valuable crop. Like the farmer, Christians must wait patiently for the ‘harvest’ that is coming, and it is coming. God has promised to give the crown of life to those who love him, who persevere faithfully through their trials (1:12).

The Lord’s coming may be anytime; James says it is ‘near’ (v. 8). So don’t give up now, however difficult things seem!

The Lord’s coming isn’t just an encouragement; it is also a challenge.

• What must these Christians avoid doing and why (v. 9)?

It is not just oppression from unbelievers that tests us, as we wait for the Lord’s coming. There will also be many reasons we may feel like grumbling against our own Christian brothers and sisters, for, like us, they are far from perfect!

But God hates grumbling – that rum- bling, nagging, spreading discontent and criticism we find so tempting, especially when life is hard. God cares about sin inside his church just as much as outside it. James says, ‘The Judge is standing at the door!’ These believers need to be ready for him.

If you knew Christ was about to walk in, how would you speak of your fellow Christians? God has accepted you despite your many weaknesses and failings. Will you not accept your brother or sister in Christ in the same way? Grumbling against one another is serious and it needs to stop.

Real saving faith must lead to changed lives. God will treat us in the way we treat others – so be gracious!

Pray

Ask the Lord to help you persevere patiently as you wait for his coming and not to grumble against your fellow believers in the meanwhile.