Welcome to Day 2130 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

James – Wisdom Is Faith in Action 12 – Patience In Suffering – Daily Wisdom

Putnam Church message – 01/02/2022

James: Wisdom Is Faith In Action – Patience in Suffering

We are continuing our series today on the Proverbs of the New Testament, better known as the letter of James. Our previous message covered James 5:1-6 which dealt with  Warnings to the Wealthy, and we learned why wealth should not be our primary source of thankfulness. Today we pick up where we left off as we continue in James 5 and focus on verses 7-12. This message is titled, Patience in Suffering. James 5:7-12 Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! Brothers and sisters, 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 count as 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. Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned. Suppressing the Revenge Reflex We’ve all experienced the hurt of mistreatment and misunderstanding. Such hurts come in various forms— an intolerable working situation, domestic conflicts, overbearing parents, rebellious children, a treacherous friend, a petty parishioner, and a gossipy neighbor. Our natural tendency is to retaliate—to return evil for evil, an eye for an eye. Or we bottle it up and allow a slow, bubbling ferment. But God has a better idea than either bottling up or bursting out! James reveals this alternative. He tells us what to do when we’ve been wronged and how to do it. James 5:7 simultaneously connects and contrasts with the previous section. First, James changes his audience from “you rich people” (5:1) to brothers and sisters (5:7). You will remember that James addressed oppressive wealthy people in 5:1-6, exposing their wrongs and calling for repentant humiliation in light of the coming judgment of God. Now, beginning in 5:7, James addresses the victims of their ugliness: “Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming.” James continues with the theme of Christ’s coming in judgment when he returns a second time. While persecutors should fear Christ’s coming, believers, anticipate it through patiently enduring suffering. Don’t miss that James has shifted to believers in this section. The man without Christ is frustrated if he tries to bring patience into persecution, mistreatment, or everyday afflictions. Yet, through the work of the Holy Spirit, the believer has the supernatural ability to endure the miseries of life, whether mild or extreme. How valuable is patience!   The appeal to “be patient” in 5:7 governs the rest of chapter 5 until the end of James. It’s the faith-inspired response to a variety of circumstances Christians must endure in this world, from putting up with suffering (5:7-11) to responding to sickness (5:14-15), from the temptation to flippancy (5:12) to the treatment of those who have strayed into sin (5:19-20). Finally, James answers a simple question in this section: “How can I do right when I’ve been done wrong?” He answers this underlying question with four commands—two positives to embrace and two negatives to avoid.  Be patient. James illumines the first answer to responding right when we’ve been wronged with an illustration. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. Christians should “be patient” (5:8). The word translated patience comes from the Greek word makrothymeö, referring to the ability to wait in tranquility. In today’s vernacular, James says, “When something unjust takes place, have a long fuse. Don’t blow your top. Just chill, or as Dad used to say, hang loose.” But let’s face it, and we would instead take our offenders by the throat. God has a better plan: that we wait on Him. What does that mean? In the most ultimate sense, when Christ returns, He will meet justice on those who have persecuted His people (5:7). But patiently waiting on the Lord also has a here-and-now application. God has a way of working out His purposes and plans on an everyday scale, just as He will work out His grand plan on a cosmic scale. So, being patient in adverse circumstances means we deliberately allow God to handle the situation in His way and in His own time. Like the farmer waiting for a harvest, be patient. Since most of us do not farm for a living, and even then, we can water the crops, we miss the meaning of the autumn and spring rains. James 5:7 For thousands of years, farmers in the Holy Land have experienced an annual cycle of dry and rainy seasons. The dry season, running roughly from June through September, parched the soil. The rainy season, however, quenches the land in two six-week periods in October and November (the “autumn rains”) and then again in April and May (the “spring rains”). The autumn rains would allow the seeds to germinate. After a long wait, the spring rains would cause the plants to take root and grow. While the land was in its dry season for those five months, the farmers eagerly watched the skies for God to send rain and produce a bountiful crop.  By their very occupation, farmers must be patient to survive. The Israelites understood that God was their Sustainer and Provider, who sent rains of blessing according to His promises (Gen. 1:11-12). On the other hand, the absence of sufficient rain was one of the curses for disobedience under the Old Testament Law (Deut. 11:13-17; 28:12, 23-24). When James likens the farmer’s anticipation of the spring rains to the believer’s expectation of the Lord’s return, he emphasizes the need for patience. The autumn rains are a symbol of our current salvation.  However, we are not yet receiving the blessing of final salvation planted in our lives by the seed of faith. Our unbreakable New Covenant promise of salvation guarantees that one day God will rain His blessings on us through the glorious appearance of His Son. The first command was be patient. As we move on to 5:8, see the word, stand firm, or in the NLT, it says take courage. The second command relates to how we should respond when we’ve been wronged. It refers to our emotional fortitude or inner disposition. The word “stand firm” stêrizô means establishing, supporting, or fixing something firmly in place, so it’s immovable. Under stress and duress, our hearts can grow heavy, but the Spirit of God can lighten the load of a heart weighed down with pressures. Psalm 55:22 says, “Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.” Similarly, 1 Peter 5:6-7 tells us, “So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time, he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” Practically speaking, this is where I find the “50/20” principle helpful. I get the name from Genesis 50:20, the climactic passage on the life of Joseph. Remember the story? Joseph’s brothers had sold him into slavery and told their father, Jacob, that he had been killed. As Joseph’s tragic life unfolded, he went from imprisoned slave to Egypt’s prime minister. Years later, how does Joseph respond when the same brothers who had sold him down the river show up on the scene again, groveling for mercy? With the “50/20” principle: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.”  We'll retaliate unless we can see beyond the one who wronged us. That’s the natural (and carnal) response. But God works out all things for our ultimate good (Romans 8:28). So we need to have a big-picture perspective. We don’t need “20/20” vision, but “50:20” vision of Genesis. That shift in perspective from our limited view of things, to God’s divine viewpoint, has helped strengthen my heart through all kinds of wrongs. Trust me—it can do the same for you. So we have had two positive commands, be patient and stand firm. Now let’s move on 5:9-10 and look at two to avoid. Don’t grumble. The third answer to how believers should respond to suffering, concerns our actions toward those around us. When your circumstances try your patience and you feel discouraged and frustrated by external pressures, the subsequent tendency is to grumble. Here, James refers to a more insidious phenomenon than silently holding a grudge against those who have wronged us. He warns us not to groan, grumble, or complain “against one another” (5:9). Isn’t it odd that when a family, business, or church suffers hardship, the community members sometimes internalize their aggression and turn on each other? Or they turn on their leadership. Or they turn on their children, employees, or pets! So we vent our frustrations on those around us. On the outside, we may appear to have patience amid suffering, but on the inside, we’ve become a tightly wound spring, exploding at the slightest touch on those nearest us. James has already dealt with the results of this complaining spirit in 4:11-12. The one who speaks against or judges a fellow Christian will be subject to the judgment of God (4:12). Equally serious, those who point fingers and complain against others will be subject to the disciplining hand of God (5:9). The judge is standing by the door! We’ve already seen that God doesn’t judge believers with condemnation or hell (Romans 8:1). However, He doesn’t let our bitterness and lousy behavior go without discipline, just as a loving father disciplines his children for their good (Hebrews 12:5-11). The ancient Hebrew prophets serve as an example to us of how to suffer with patience (James 5:10). “Prophets” often refer not merely to the prophetic office—people like Isaiah and Daniel—but also to the whole cast of Old Testament figures who spoke and acted on behalf of God (Matthew 5:17; Romans 1:2). Next, James zooms in on perhaps the greatest example of patient endurance under excruciating suffering —Job. Though Job endured incomprehensible personal, financial, and physical losses, he refused to give in to the revenge reflex, demonstrating his real faith through genuine patience. Finally, James reminds us that Job’s suffering was temporary, eventually giving way to an abundant blessing that reflected the compassion and mercy of God (James 5:11). In the same way, those who patiently endure hardship today without grumbling can rely on God’s promise of ultimate reward and blessing, whether in this life or the life to come. Grumbling or complaining is one habit worth breaking this year! The return of Christ, the judgments and rewards of God, and the coming of the kingdom are repeated themes in James’s letter. Look for them the next time you read through James. Let us now look at verse 12. Do not swear. This final command related to how we should respond when we’ve been wronged refers to our tendency to make rash decisions and promises under duress. The word “swear” omnyö doesn’t refer primarily to the use of profanity. Instead, it means to “take an oath,” to grasp onto something with our words. It’s calling God into the circumstance and presenting Him to give validity to your commitments. For example, “I swear by God I’m not lying!” Or, “Before God, I’ll do this.” Or, “As God is my witness, this will never happen!” or as country fold would say, “I swear on a stack of Bibles,” or I swear on my momma's grave.” As with several points in his letter, James got his teaching on oaths from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount: Matthew 5:34-37 But I say, do not make any vows! Do not say, “By heaven!” because heaven is God’s throne. And do not say, “By the earth!” because the earth is his footstool. And do not say, “By Jerusalem!” for Jerusalem is the city of the great King. Do not even say, “By my head!” for you can’t turn one hair white or black. Just say a simple, “Yes, I will,” or “No, I won’t.” Anything beyond this is from the evil one. We don’t know enough about the historical situation to determine exactly why they took oaths. However, we know his Jewish Christian readers were caught between Jewish and Gentile persecutors. They endured extreme religious, cultural, and economic pressures to deny Christ in their words or deeds. It may be that James’s prohibition of oath-taking related to going back on their confession of faith in Christ—or swearing allegiance to others outside the church. In this context, swearing would bring significant personal benefits—lessening suffering, persecution, hardship, or trial. But the cost would be abandoning their Savior. I see in all this an appeal to simplicity of speech. Respond to the circumstances with a simple “yes” or “no.” Answer succinctly and with authenticity. Proverbs and Ecclesiastes are full of exhortations to limit our speech.  Regarding the challenging circumstances, we find ourselves in; we’re wise to avoid long explanations, detailed excuses, and especially pious spiritualizing. This kind of overanalysis leads to stumbling in our words. We’ll find ourselves bringing God into circumstances to play a role on our terms. We’ll fall into the trap of making deals with God, promising Him all sorts of unnecessary things if He lightens the load. In the process, we think we’ve figured out what’s causing the suffering—and how we can weasel out of it. Resist this temptation to over-spiritualize and overanalyze. Instead, stay quiet, sit back, and let God work out His purpose. Have patience. Application: James 5:7-12 In 5:7-12, James answers a simple question: “How can I do right when I’ve been done wrong?” His answer comes in the form of four commands: be patient (5:7-8), Stand firm with courage (5:8), don’t grumble or complain (5:9-11), and don’t swear (5:12). In light of these practical exhortations, let me suggest four easy-to-understand applications. First, don’t focus on the situation, or you’ll get angry. Instead, be patient! Yes, you’ve been wronged. Yes, you could express your anger through retaliation. But don’t. Resist the revenge reflex and let it go. Be patient. Second, don’t focus on yourself, or you’ll have self-pity – a royal pity party! Instead, be strong! Remember the 50-20 principle (Genesis 50:20) and pray, “Lord, I see this person not as an enemy but as a tool. They may see themselves as my enemy inflicting damage on me, but I know You’re bigger than that. Thank you for making me the object of Your handiwork. Please make me a vehicle of your grace.” Let God get you through it and accomplish His purpose. Be strong. Third, don’t focus on someone to blame, or you’ll grumble and complain. Instead, view others as a means God uses to shape your life. Just as the perpetrators of wrong are tools for your spiritual growth, those God has placed over you, around you, and under you can be tools to teach patient endurance. So don’t redirect your wrath toward them. Don’t put them down with your complaining, bitter spirit. Don’t shift the blame on others. Instead, view others as a means God uses to shape your inner person. Fourth, don’t focus on the present. Instead, look to the future for insight. This is a challenging principle to apply when you’re in a crisis. So consider memorizing a few key verses to stitch this idea into the fabric of your heart. Romans 8:18 Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!  So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. 1 Peter 1:6-7 So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. Make this perspective found in these three passages change your mindset. I don’t know what’s in store for you or me in the following weeks, months, and years. Neither do you. But God knows. It may be a court summons you don’t deserve. It may be an unwarranted rebuke from an employer—or an unexpected layoff. It may be a neighbor who causes you prolonged grief over some triviality. It may be a spouse who walks out, a child who rebels, or a parent who treats you like garbage. Whatever may come, the practical advice in James can get you through. Be patient. Stand firm with courage. Don’t hold a grudge. Don’t scheme to get out from under it. Next, we will explore our second lesson in James about patience, Patience through Prayer. I encourage you to read James 5:13-18. Thank you so much for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and, most importantly, your friend as I serve you through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal. As we take this trek together, let us always:

1. Live Abundantly (Fully)
2. Love Unconditionally
3. Listen Intentionally
4. Learn Continuously
5. Lend to others Generously
6. Lead