Steadfast

James 5:11

Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

 

Be patient, therefore brothers, until the coming of the Lord. Just as the farmer waits for the crops to grow to maturity, so also believers must wait for the time to be right. Certainly, it would be easier to be taken to the Lord as soon as we are saved, but there would be no growth, no transformation into the image of Christ. It is while we wait, establishing our hearts, that we grow and mature into holiness, into that purity of the chaste bride of Christ.

 

Who suffered and was patient? The prophets, and of course, Job. I notice how the passage has gone from patiently waiting to suffering. Our waiting includes suffering because suffering is the key to holiness and maturing in Christ. As He suffered, so must we. If we endure, then we are blessed. God's purpose for us includes compassion and mercy, but the rub is that it is not the compassion and mercy the world knows. His compassion and mercy extend to eternity and are not just for the here and now. Since He wants us to be holy and mature when Jesus comes to get us, it is His compassion and mercy that allow us to suffer. It is through suffering that we grow into the image of His Son. As Jesus suffered, so must we.

 

In the midst of this passage, James has added, Do not grumble against one another. If we know anything about Israel in the wilderness, we know that Israel was judged by God for grumbling. Grumbling is sin! It is not waiting patiently and steadfastly for the Lord to come. It is not growing in godliness. So as we wait, our relationships with fellow believers are of importance. We must remember it is God's compassion and mercy that gives us what we need to grow, whether painful or pleasurable.  

 

So James concludes this section with But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your 'yes' be yeas and your 'no' be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation. Let our speech to one another be without anger or impatience as should be our speech to the world. The world needs to see Jesus through us. Much about us is revealed by our speech. What comes out of the mouth reveals what is in our heart! If the heart is full of impatience and irritation, it will reveal itself in our words. So as we wait for Jesus to come and call us home, we need to be patient and steadfast in our actions and our words so we can bring honor to our merciful and compassionate God.

 

Father,

Teach me to be steadfast through Your grace but not in my own strength. I know that suffering makes me lean on You even more. As I suffer, let my speech bring You glory and honor.

In Jesus name,

Amen