Our Patience Through Suffering (Part 4 of 6)

We need the patience to live in hard times.  "But let this power [patience] have its full effect, so that you may be made complete, needing nothing" (James 1:4, BBE).

March 27, 2021

"Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door" (James 5:9).

James 5:7-11

Part 4

Yesterday:  Patience Adds Stability to the Believer’s Heart
“Be ye also patient.”
“Stablish your hearts.”
“For the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.”

In these end times days, patience helps to “settle” our hearts as we faithfully watch for Jesus’ return.  His coming is getting nearer every day.

 

Today:  Be Patient with Each Other, Brethren

(James 5:9)  “Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.”

 

“Grudge not one against another, brethren.”
Holding a grudge is never the right thing for a child of God to do.  As believers, God’s Word teaches us to forgive others in the same way that Jesus forgave us.  Our forgiveness should not have any “strings attached.”  We do not keep holding on to what was done to us so that we can bring it up again and use it as a club on the one who had wronged us.  As we examine James’ words closer, we see that this is not where he is taking us with his words.

This word translated “grudge” in the original text means “groan, or murmur”[1] (Bullinger).

“The [word means] literally, “groan”: a half-suppressed murmur of impatience and harsh judgment, not uttered aloud or freely”[2] (JFB).

The picture is of a person who is groaning, murmuring, half under their breath.  They are impatient with something said or done to them (or others).  This quiet groan is their gripe against what they perceive as something that is not right and disliked.  They are being judgmental against those who wrong them.

But notice James’ words again, “grudge not one against another!”

Murmur not… ‘Stop groaning against one another,’ as some were already doing in view of their troubles. In view of the hope of the Second Coming lift up your heads”[3] (Robertson).

“Groan not; grumble not; do not murmur through impatience, and let not any ill-treatment which you receive induce you to vent your feelings in imprecations [insults, curses, or profanities] against your oppressors.  Leave all this in the hands of God”[4] (Clarke).

Instead of concentrating on those around you and the mistreatment they may heap upon you, look up, watch, for your Lord is coming again, soon.  Keep your focus on the Lord!

 

“Lest ye be condemned.”
This word “condemned” is the word that means “to give judgment against, to judge worthy of punishment…”[5] (Thayer).

This is an essential concept for a genuine believer.  If (or when) we are mistreated, we have no Biblical right to become judgmental against those who oppress us.  In other words, “sin number one,” their sin against me, “does not justify sin number two,” my sinful thoughts or reactions back against them.  Remember Jesus’ words,

“‘Judge not lest ye be judged.’  To ‘murmur against one another’ is virtually to judge, and so to become liable to be judged”[6] (JFB).

“There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?” (James 4:12).

Note these vital words, “there is one lawgiver.”  And my brothers and sisters in Christ, we are not Him!  We ought never to park in Jesus’ parking space.  Only He has the right to judge (condemn) others, for when He returns, He will come as the Judge.  He will make all things right.

 

“Behold, the Judge standeth before the door.”

“Standeth before the door.”

Jesus told the disciples that when certain things began to happen in the world, they could know His return is soon.

“So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors” (Matthew 24:33).

In James’ words, Jesus the Judge is “standing before the door,”

“In the act of entering”[7] (Vincent).

“‘…is standing now.’… Jesus the Judge is pictured as ready to enter for the judgment”[8] (Robertson).

King David wrote of the King of Glory and the “everlasting doors” that He is ready to enter.

“Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up ye everlasting doors, and the King of glory shall come in” (Psalm 24:7).

When His Father says, “it’s time,” Jesus is ready and will come through the doors!

 

Quote:  “If the Lord Jehovah makes us wait, let us do so with our whole hearts; for blessed are all they that wait for Him.  He is worth waiting for.  The waiting itself is beneficial to us: it tries faith, exercises patience, trains submission, and endears the blessing when it comes.  The Lord’s people have always been a waiting people”[9] (Charles Spurgeon).

 

 

 

[1] E.W. Bullinger, The Companion Bible, the electronic version in eSword.  James 5:9.
[2] JFB, Jamison, Fausset, and Brown.  Jamison-Fausset-Brown’s Commentary, the electronic version in eSword.  James 5:9.
[3] A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament, the electronic version in eSword.
[4] Adam Clarke, Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible, the electronic version in eSword. James 5:9.
[5] J.H. Thayer, Thayer’s Greek Definitions, the electronic version in eSword.  “katakrinō.”
[6] JFB, ibid.
[7] M.R. Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament, the electronic version in eSword.
[8] A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament, the electronic version in eSword.
[9] Spurgeon’s quote Downloaded: Thursday, March 25, 2021.  From: https://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/25-great-waiting-quotes/.  The emphasis is mine.