James–Part 25

The 2016 Oxford Dictionary word of the year is “post-truth,” an expression that was frequently heard during 2016 election season. Post-truth basically means, “belonging to a time in which the truth has become unimportant or irrelevant.” Do we live in a post-truth world? Yes. But is this something new? No. The truth has been irrelevant to our world for a long, long time. Power and profit are what the world deems important, and if the truth must be sacrificed to get ahead, so be it.

James wrestled with a similar mindset in his day. People sought influence, and oaths were often used to persuade others of a person’s sincerity. The ultimate oath was to God, and the Lord was clear about the gravity of breaking such a vow: “You shall not swear by my name falsely, and so profane the name of your God: I am the Lord” (Leviticus 19:12). Violating this law was equivalent to breaking the Third Commandment. Since the penalty was death, it is understandable that people were not quick to make a vow to God. And when they did swear an oath, they made sure they fulfilled it.

James–Part 24

The dictionary defines patience as “the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset.” Many of us have learned the value of patience the hard way: by living without it. James uses three examples to explain why we need patience and how to develop it.

Last week we looked at the primary reason we need patience–because much in life happens unexpectedly and is beyond our control. That much we all know. What most of us don’t know is how to build patience into our everyday life. James does not provide us with a step-by-step plan, but his comments about farmers, prophets, and Job give us some clues:

Be patient, brothers and sisters, as you await the coming of the Lord. Consider the farmer who waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient with it until it receives the autumn and the spring rains. You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. Do not grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be judged. Behold–the Judge is standing at the door! As an example of suffering and patience, brothers and sisters, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Indeed, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
James 5:7-11

James uses three examples–farmers, prophets, and an ancient patriarch–to teach us about patience. What can I do to build this quality into my life?

• Like the farmer, I can look to the future expectantly.

• Like the prophets, I can wait quietly.

• Like Job, I can live faithfully.

James–Part 23

Waiting. We do a lot of that–we wait in traffic and grocery lines and at doctor’s offices and a hundred other places–and most of us hate waiting. Why? Because we have been taught that wait-time is wasted time. If that is your perspective, James urges you to reconsider. The time we spend waiting is a gift from God. It allows us the opportunity to develop patience.

Be patient, brothers and sisters, as you await the coming of the Lord. Consider the farmer who waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient with it until it receives the autumn and the spring rains. You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. Do not grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be judged. Behold–the Judge is standing at the door! As an example of suffering and patience, brothers and sisters, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Indeed, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
James 5:7-11

James uses three examples–farmers, the prophets, and Job–to explain why patience is essential and how it can be developed. Today we’ll look at the “why,” and next time we’ll focus how to build it into our life.

The primary reason we need patience is simply this:
much in life happens unexpectedly and is beyond our ability to manage.

James–Part 22

Come now, you rich people, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you.
James 5:1

Woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. Woe to you who are full now, for you shall be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep.
(Jesus) Luke 6:24-25

When compared to the rest of the world, most Americans live in the lap of luxury, so it is not surprising that many of us become uneasy when we read what Jesus and James had to say about rich people. Some of the Lord’s harshest remarks were directed toward the wealthy.

The fifth chapter of the Letter of James echoes the words of Jesus and brings four charges against the rich. But before we look at the indictment James brings, let’s get clear about who is being addressed here. Verse 4 identifies the accused as wealthy landowners, a group that is often condemned in the Old Testament for greed and exploitation. They are not criticized for being wealthy; they are rebuked because they are consumed by avarice, and they are unconcerned about the people who work for them. So the passage is not addressed to all rich people, but to those who will not submit to God. James is speaking about nonbelievers who use their wealth to take advantage of others, and he makes four accusations: