James 5:9-12

Passage

Brothers and sisters, do not excessively complain against one another in order that you all should not be judged.  Look, the judge has stood at the door.  Brothers and sisters, receive this example of the suffering endurance and patience of the prophets – the ones who spoke in the name of the Lord.  We consider the ones who endured regardless of their circumstances to be blessed.  You all heard about the steadfast endurance of Job and you all saw the fulfillment of the Lord: that the Lord is compassionate and merciful.  Brothers and sisters, above all things do not swear by heaven or by earth or by any other oath.  But let your yes be a yes and your no be a no in order that you all should not fall under judgment. 

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

This section of James has much to do with judgment.  This really makes sense.  Much of the letter that James has written has to do with submission to God and balancing faith and works.  Thus, it makes sense that James should spend some time focusing on judgment here at the end.  With respect to judgment, James is quick to the point.  The more you complain about the failings of the people around you, the more God is going to look into your life and be critical of your failings.  We will all be judged in the end by God.  Do any of us think for a moment that God doesn’t know what we all do anyway?  If that’s the case, then our complaining to God about something He already knows is really not worth our time.

Why do you like to complain about other people?  Do you believe anyone is perfect?  If it is agreed that nobody is perfect, then what is really the point of complaining about another person?

Second Thought:

James also talks about not swearing by oaths.  He says that your yes and your no should be sufficient.  In other words, live your life by what you say.  If agree to something, let people know it and follow up so that they can trust your word without needing any kind of oath.  After all, if we are in the habit of making promises but not living up to our word, that is one more way we can fall into judgment.

How trustworthy are your words?  Do you think others would agree with you?

Third Thought:

As an example, James lifts up the prophets of the Old Testament.  They endured regardless of the circumstances – and many of them like Job lived in a time where it was difficult to remain steadfast!  Yet, they continued to walk with God in an upright manner even when the world turned against them or turned away from them.  They continued to walk with the Lord because they knew that the Lord is steadfast, merciful, and compassionate.  The Lord’s mercy is greater than the world’s wrath.

How good are you with respecting to trusting in the Lord’s mercy?  How good are you at being satisfied with the Lord’s mercy?

Passage for Tomorrow: James 5:13-15