SOUNDING A CALL TO SALVATION, SOBRIETY, WATCHFULNESS, FIDELITY AND BROTHERLINESS IN VIEW OF OUR LORD'S RETURN
 
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STUDIES IN JAMES

By Eugene Garner

CHRISTIAN BEHAVIOUR IN AN UNCHRISTIAN WORLD

Scripture Lesson: James 5:7-12 "Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. 8 Be ye also patient; establish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. 9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door. 10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. 11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy. 12 But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation,".

        INTRODUCTION: The behavior of God's people, as we await the Lord's return, is a subject covered by several New Testament writers. It is something that always needs serious thought and discussion. When the "Blessed Hope" grows dim, because of what appears to be a long delay, many lose their zeal for Christian service. Some may even resort to conduct unbecoming to their Christian profession and dishonoring to the name of Christ.

        Christian conduct is always important, but we need to know WHY it is important.
  1. It is not a means of attaining our salvation!

  2. However, conduct that conforms to principles of righteousness is a very important evidence of our salvation!

  3. Right living, which manifests the "spirit of Christ", is a valuable witness to the power of the Savior IN OUR LIVES!
        Selfishness may sometimes lead weak Christians to stress the first of these statements at the expense of the others. If conduct is not a means of obtaining salvation, they may tend to ask: "Then, why be concerned about it?" However, if we would demonstrate the genuineness of our salvation, its evidence must be observable in the way we live! If we want to commend the Savior to the favorable consideration of others, the only way that we may do so is by GODLY LIVING!

        Throughout this epistle, James insists that one's conduct must be consistent with his Christian profession. He closes with a summary of those things that ought to govern our actions in an unfriendly world. And we must not underestimate the value of his counsel.

        In previous studies we have heard James urging his brethren to turn away from a number of things:
  1. From the world's wisdom, to that which is from above.

  2. From the world's evil speaking.

  3. From the world's haughty self-assurance - both in the making of plans for the future and in the accumulation and misuse of earthly wealth.
        In this study we note how he urges them to right living by pointing them to their soon-coming Lord!

I. NEGATIVELY STATED, THERE ARE SOME THINGS FROM WHICH THEY MUST TURN AWAY.
  1. THEY MUST ABANDON THE IMPATIENCE OF WAVERING HEARTS.

  2.         The temptation to avenge ourselves of wrongs is ever present with each of us. In this passage James urges patient endurance rather than resorting to a vengeful resistance toward those who trouble us, (Matt. 5:38-45).

    1. There are two different Greek words that are translated "patient" in the New Testament.

      1. "Makrothymeo", which is used here, is usually applied to being patient with people whom we find difficult or irritating.

      2. The other word (Gk. "hypomeno") usually refers to "patience" in the sense of courageousness in the face of discouraging circumstances. In verse 11 it is translated "be steadfast".

      3. But, at times, the two words are used almost as synonyms, (Colossians 1:11).

        1. 1) "Hypomene" is rendered by "endurance".

          2) "Makrothymia" is rendered "patience".

          3) "Patience", as contrasted with "endurance", may suggest an attitude of heart and mind that is the opposite of "irritability, resentment, and retaliation". And we need to understand that James is counseling right conduct in the humiliation they are suffering at the hands of the wicked RICH.

    2. Such "patience" is manifested by God Himself, in the face of all the faults and unfaithfulness of men.

      1. In the orgy of wickedness that characterized the anti-deluvian world, "God's patience waited", (I Peter 3:20).

      2. In Romans 2:4, Paul links God's "kindness and forbearance" with His purpose "to lead men to repentance!"

    3. He commends "patience" as a mark of genuine Christian character, (Col. 3:12; Eph. 4:2; comp. Gal. 5:22; I Cor. 13:4).

    4. None of us are wise enough to deal with the injustices of life, or to set wrong things right, (I Cor. 4:5).

    5. We must never become impatient with God, just because He does not immediately crush our enemies, and try to take vengeance into our own hands! (Romans 12:19).

      1. He will not forever pass over the wrongs of evil men, but will summon them to judgment, (Ps. 103:6; 99:4-5).

      2. The day of reckoning is drawing near!

      3. Therefore, such impatience, despair and vindictiveness, as often arise when one suffers unjustly, are unbecoming to the Christian profession!

  3. THEY MUST ABANDON ALL GRUMBLING AGAINST ONE ANOTHER: insistence on having the last word only demonstrates that one has forgotten Him who will soon come to HAVE the last word, (vs. 9).

    1. The word for "grudge" (Gk. "stenazo"), literally means "to groan", but "groan" directed toward someone else involves "criticism, complaint, murmuring, or faultfinding"; so, it may be rendered as "grumble", (comp. 4:11).

      1. The words that we speak are important, (Matt. 5:35-37).

      2. Our speech actually reveals our true character.

      3. When one resorts to threatening, complaining, or to flippant profanity, in an effort to relieve depressive conditions, his is denying Patience an opportunity to do her perfect work.

              Barnes has a note that is to the point:

              "There are persons who are always grumbling. They have a sour, dissatisfied, discontented temper; they see no excellence in other persons; they are displeased that others are more prospered, honored, and beloved than they are themselves; they are always complaining of what others do, not because they are injured, but because others seem to them to be weak and foolish; they seem to feel that it becomes them to complain if everything is not done precisely as in their estimation it should be. It is needless to say that this spirit - the offspring of pride - will make any man lead a wretched life; and equally needless to say that it is wholly contrary to the spirit of the Gospel. (comp. Luke 3:14; Phil. 4:11; I Tim. 6:8; Heb. 13:5)."

    2. Where patience is lacking, stress may erupt into quarrelsomeness and mutual recrimination - even among the people of God!

      1. In time of warfare an unscrupulous enemy may deliberately promote such "grumblings" in an effort to break down the morale of his prisoners.

      2. Satan rejoices when Christians, facing hardships and irritating circumstances, allow themselves to sharply criticize and censure one another; it suggests that the evil one has won a battle!

      3. Whoever permits the trials and petty annoyances of life to provoke him into blaming others is playing the devil's game!

    3. Reminding them of the judgment that followed Israel's bitter discontentment in the wilderness, Paul urged the Corinthians to refrain from their grumblings, (I Cor. 10:10).

    4. Such faultfinding is a violation of our Lord's specific command against censorious judgment, and it will not go unpunished! (Matt. 7:1).

    5. In words borrowed from our Lord Himself, James represents the judgment as near: "the judge is standing at the door", (comp. Mark 13:29).

    6. Throughout the Scriptures, God is represented as Judge, (Gen. 18:25; Heb. 12:23); but, the New Testament reveals that God has committed all judgment to Jesus, as the "Son of Man", (John 3:19; 5:22-23, 27; II Tim. 4:1; Matt. 15:31-32).

      1. His coming is surer than life, (I Thes. 3:12-13; 4:13-17; I Peter 1:24-25).

      2. Justice and equity will be meted out when He appears, (Is. 11:1-5; Ps. 98:8-9).

      3. The child of God can afford to wait, (Ps. 62:5-6; Is. 30:18; 40:31; 64:4).

            In one of his beautiful hymns, J. R. MacDuff wrote:
    CHRIST IS COMING

    Christ is coming! Let creation
    Bid her goans and travail cease:
    Let the glorious proclamation
    Hope restore and faith increase;
    Christ is coming!
    Come, Thou blessed Prince of peace!

    Earth can now but tell the story
    Of Thy bitter cross and pain;
    She shall yet behold Thy glory
    When thou comest back to reign!
    Christ is coming!
    Let each heart repeat the strain.

    Long thy exiles have been pining,
    Far from rest, and home, and thee:
    But, in heavenly vesture shining,
    Soon they shall Thy glory see;
    Christ is coming!
    Haste the joyous jubilee.

    With the "blessed hope" before us,
    Let no harp remain unstrung;
    Let the mighty advent chorus
    Onward roll from tongue to tongue;
    Christ is coming!
    Come, Lord Jesus, quickly come"
  4. THEY MUST RENOUNCE ALL SWEARING, (vs. 12). To carelessly swear by the Lord's name, in an effort to gain a temporary advantage, shows that one has forgotten the coming of Him Who witnesses our every careless word, and holds us accountable for each one! (comp. Matt. 5:35-37).

    1. Oath-taking had become so common that is meant little and guaranteed nothing!

      1. As soon as an oath becomes common, men begin to swear falsely.

      2. The best guarantee of any statement, or commitment, is the trustworthy character of the person who speaks.

      3. Between men of honor an oath is not needed.

    2. The Jews seem to have devised a shrewd scheme for evading responsibility.

      1. Oaths in which they employed the name of God - making Him a party to the contract - were considered binding.

      2. However, oaths that made no reference to God might be treated almost with contempt.

      3. James is saying that Christians ought not be hypocrites or liars!

    3. It is far better to be so consistently honest and upright on one's dealings that no oath is needed!

  5. WHAT IS TO BE THEIR MOTIVATION FOR ABANDONING SUCH CONDUCT? Why, it is the personal return of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, as King of the Earth!

    1. The terminology of His coming. There is but one future coming of Christ. Biblical teaching concerning it is illuminated by the use of three basic words.

      1. "Parousia". The opposite of "absence", this word speaks of the King's coming, in His personal "body presence", to receive the submission, homage and loyal service of His subjects. (Matt. 24:3, 27, 37, 39; I Cor. 15:23; I Thes. 2:19; 3:13; 4:15; 5:23; II Thes. 2:1, 8-9; James 5:7-8; II Peter 1:16; 3:4; I John 2:28).

      2. "Epiphania". As pertains to the Christ, this word suggests an "appearance", in brilliancy and power, to assume His kingly throne as the Son of David. (II Thes. 2:8; I Tim. 6:14; II Tim. 1:10; 4:1, 8; Titus 2:13).

      3. "Apokalupsis". This word depicts "an unveiling, laying bare, manifestation, or revelation". In this case, it is a revelation of the glory, majesty, and sovereign authority of Him to whom that kingdom belongs by inheritance, (I Cor. 1:7; II Thes. 1:7; I Peter 1:7, 13; 4:13).

    2. The time of His coming.

      1. So secret is the time of our Lord's return that it was not known to Him while He walked as a man among men, (Matt. 24:36; Mark 13:32; Ps. 110:1).

      2. He will come in a time of great apostasy - when many of His own people are deliberately refusing to walk in the way which they know He has appointed, (II Thes. 2:3a; I Tim. 4:1-3; II Tim. 3:1-5).

      3. It will follow the revelation of the Man of Sin, (II Thes. 23b).

      4. It will be "at the consummation of the [this] age".

        1. 1) In Ephesians 1:21 Paul distinguishes "this age" (Gk. "aion") from "that (age) which is to come."
          2) In Matthew 24:3 Jesus disciples asked: "What shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the world" (or "consummation of the age")?
          3) Our Lord Himself used the expression three times in His parable of the sower, (Matt. 13:39-40, 49); He also used it in the Great Commission to His church, (Matt. 28:20).

      5. Binding Satan, our Lord will cast him into a bottomless pit and initiate a "new [millennial] age", in which He will restore the earth to its Edenic purity and rule in righteousness, from the re-established throne of His father David, while He completes the subduing of all things to the divine order, (Rev. 20:1-3; Matt. 19:28-30; Acts 3:18-21; Rom. 8:18-23; Joel 3:14-17; Ps. 110:2-3).

      6. His coming will be sudden as lightning; unexpected as a thief in the night, (Matt. 24:27, 37-39; I Thes. 5:2; II Peter 3:10).

    3. Preparation for His coming.

      1. The very first step in preparing for the Lord's coming must be a yielding of one's heart and life to Him - in loving trust and loyal devotion, (Prov. 3:5-6; Is. 45:22; Num. 21:8-9; II Chron. 20:12; Micah 7:7).

      2. There must be a spirit of watchful readiness, (Matt. 24:36-51).

      3. The time that remains must be used to prepare for Christ's coming.

        1. 1) As to character, we must seek after: soberness (I Peter 4:7), holiness (I Thes. 3:13), and blamelessness (I Thes. 5:23).
          2) Casting off the "works of darkness", we must put on "the amour of light", (Romans 13:11-12).

      4. We must commit ourselves to such a walk of faith as He has appointed in a New Testament church - submitting ourselves to one another in mutual love and forbearance, as we endeavor to maintain the unity of the spirit in the bonds of peace, and to encourage one another with the coming of our Lord in constant expectancy, (Eph. 5:21; I Peter 4:8-9; I Cor. 16:14, 22; Phil. 4:5; Eph. 4:1-3; Heb. 10:25).

      5. The best possible preparation for Christ's coming is to constantly "abide in him" (I John 2:28), through the maintenance of an acceptable walk in a functioning fellowship with a local, New Testament church, which is "his body", (Romans 12:5; I Cor. 12:12; Eph. 5:30).
II. POSITIVELY STATED, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF THINGS THAT THE PEOPLE OF GOD MUST TURN TO.
  1. JAMES URGES HIS BRETHREN TO LEARN THE PATIENCE OF THE FARMER WHO WAITS, but who understands why waiting is necessary; a precious harvest will ultimately crown his year with festive joy! (vs. 7-9).

  2.         The farmer sows the seeds and may assist its growth by clearing away the weeds and cultivating the soil. When harvest comes he can gather the crop into barns. But the germination of the seed in the ground, and the mysterious process of growth from the green shoot to the rich golden ears of corn are processes at which he can only watch and wonder: "The seed sprouts and grows, he knows not how. The earth produces of itself", (Mark 4:28-29).

            Delays and disappointments may come, but, with dependable regularity, seedtime and harvest form an invariable sequence which the farmer learns to trust - even though it takes time! He does not fret and worry because the seed fails to sprout overnight, or the harvest comes to fruition within a week! He learns to patiently await the germination of the seed and its imperceptible growth; he learns to wait for the changing seasons on which its growth and fruitfulness are dependent.

            Specifically, the seeds are utterly dependent on timely rains. Without these the farmer is helpless. In Palestine there were two normal periods of rainfall on which the success of the farmer depended. Among the pious Jews this rain was thought of as the direct gift of the kindly Creator, "Thou visitest the earth and waterest it", they sang in their services, (Ps. 65:9-11).

            The early rain was expected around the end of October. It was this which gave the farmer an opportunity to sow his seed in moistened soil that would be friendly to the process of germination. The "latter rain" usually fell in late April or early May, a little while before harvest time - providing such moisture as was needed to swell the grain in the ear. This would make the difference between a light and heavy crop. These rains were essential to the farmers of Palestine. Nor would heavy rains during the winter provide an adequate substitute for them.

            The farmer exercises patience because he has learned to count on the providential care of God. So must Christians learn to be patient - even when the triumph of God's cause appears slows in arriving! We must learn to "establish our hearts" - making our courage and purpose firm. Perplexity, worry, or anxiety over what seems inexplicable delay, must not lead us to self-pity and impatient complaining. As the farmer can rely on the rain and providence of his Maker, so may the Christian possess his soul in patience, even in times of affliction, because he knows that the coming of the Lord is near!

  3. JAMES WOULD ALSO HAVE HIS BRETHREN LEARN TO REST IN THE COMFORTING KNOWLEDGE OF THE LORD'S WAY, AS SET FORTH IN THE SCRIPTURES; HE IS FAITHFUL TO THE FAITH OF HIS PEOPLE.

    1. From the example of Job's steadfast and courageous endurance we may learn something of God's purpose in permitting His people to suffer.

      1. When we consider Job's impassioned outbursts against his "comforters" (3:3, 11; 16:2), or his distressed protests to God (7:11-16; 10:18; 23:2; 30:20-23), we surely cannot view him as a model of "patience" in the ordinary sense of that word.

      2. He does "endure bravely and steadfastly", in that he remains true to God and to his faith in God, (1:21; 2:10; 16:9-21; 19:25-27).

      3. In observing God's dealings with Job, we find that there is a design, a plan, a purposed end; suffering will not last forever! (Ps. 30:5).

      4. From the furnace of affliction, God will bring forth a refined people; their value enhanced, their reward great, and their trust in Him perfected! (Is. 48:10).

    2. Through observing God's dealings with Job, we may come to view Him as the compassionate and merciful Lord of heaven and earth, (vs. 10-11).

      1. The end of Job's sufferings, whether observed in his restored joy or in his deeper experience of God himself, reveals not only the divine purpose (which was previously hidden from both him and his companions), but also the truth about God's very nature and His attitude toward the creature made in His own image.

      2. This truth, like the providence of God, may also be hidden from us when the torments and tragedies of life seem to be at their worst; but it must not be forgotten that He is still "compassionate and merciful!"

      3. This truth is clearly set forth in the Old Testament, (Ps. 78:38; 86:15; 111:4; 112:4; 145:8).

      4. The compassion of the Lord Jesus Christ is also clearly set forth in the New Testament, (Matt. 15:32; 20:34; Mark 5:19; Luke 7:13; etc.).

      5. The word that James uses for "merciful" is the same as that used by our Lord to describe what is true about His Father, and ought to be true of His people, (Luke 6:36).

      6. Though God's mercy may sometimes be hidden from His trusting people, it will always be revealed, to their joy and satisfaction!

    3. Furthermore, through Job we may know that steadfastness under the lordship of Jehovah always brings reward! (vs. 11) "Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the END of the Lord."

      1. "Patience", as we understand it, is far too passive a word to express James' thought here. There is a sense in which Job was anything but patient! How passionately does he resent what has come upon him; question the conventional arguments of his so-called friends and agonize over the terrible thought that God may have forsaken him!

      2. Few men have ever spoken more passionately; the tremendous thing about Job, however, was that in spite of all the agonizing questions that tore away at his heart, HE NEVER LOST FAITH IN GOD! (comp. 13:15; 16:19; 19:25). This is no unquestioning submission; he struggled, questioned, agonized, and sometimes even defied, but the flame of his faith was never extinquished!

      3. The word that has here been translated "patience" is the Greek "hypomone", which describes, not a passive patience, but that gallant spirit which can face the tides of doubt, sorrow and disaster and come forth with a faith that has been greatly strengthened.

      4. There may be such a thing as a faith that never complained or questioned; but far greater is the faith which, tortured by unanswered questions, still steadfastly clings to its God! No wonder it is recorded that "the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning", (Job 42:12).

      5. There may come times in our lives when it seems that God has forgotten us; if, in such times, we cling to the remnants of faith, we also will see in the end that God is still very kind and merciful!

  4. JAMES WANTS HIS BRETHREN TO LEARN FROM THE EXAMPLE OF THE PROPHETS:

    1. They faithfully proclaimed the Word of God, though they did not always get a fair hearing, (Is. 6:9-10; Jer. 20:8; II Chron. 36:14-21; Prov. 1:24-32). Nor did their faithfulness make them immune to suffering.

    2. They suffered for their faithfulness as the people of God, in every age, suffer for the same reason, (Matt. 23:29-39; Acts 7:52; II Tim. 3:12; 2:8-13).

    3. They suffered with such patient endurance as we ought to emulate, (Heb. 11:32-40; Matt. 5:10-11; Acts 5:27-41; II Thes. 1:3-5).

  5. JAMES INSISTS THAT HIS BRETHREN LEARN TO SPEAK WITH THE ULTIMATE END IN VIEW - making certain that every word spoken to a brother is a word of love, and that a simple "yes" or "no" is as an oath spoken in the presence of Him who will soon come to judge and reward!