James: Living Faith, Waiting and Waiting

James: Living Faith
Waiting and Waiting (James 5:7-12)
May 16, 2010

Like James’ Christian brothers, we suffer. Often suffering results from others’ sin against us, and often it seems unending. But how are we to approach those in our lives who are suffering, and how are we to respond to suffering in our own lives?

Tender Truth
James, like his brother Jesus, speaks the truth in love. Love meets a person in their suffering, and truth leads them out to Jesus. Truth without compassion fails to meet people. Compassion without truth results in empty emotional-jargon that meets people but fails to lead them to Jesus and therefore ultimately fails to be loving.

Waiting and Waiting and Waiting
Be patient. Three times James tenderly reminds his brothers to be patient in the midst of their suffering. Life is in between the “already” and the “not yet.” Like a farmer who awaits the harvest of his crops, the seeds of our salvation in Christ have already been planted. Our hope is secured, and though we have not yet received the harvest, we will see the precious fruit, our greatest treasure, Jesus Christ, if we establish our hearts in perseverance until the end.

Returning the Favor
When we sin, our tendency is to return the favor with sins of retaliation and sins of self-focus. Retaliation fails to leave vengeance to God and instead arrogantly attempts to be God and execute judgment in the place of Jesus. Self-focus ignores Christ’s work and instead attempts to look within for salvation rather than looking out to Jesus, our all-sufficient righteousness, hope and compassionate Savior.

Looking Back and Looking Forward
If you’re a suffering Christian, you’re in good company. Consider the prophets, Job, and ultimately Jesus Christ who stood firm on the promises of God. He is both Sovereign and good, working out all things together for the good of those who are called according to his purpose.

The question is not whether we will suffer, but whether we will suffer well.

May we be a people who remain steadfast and suffer well, like Jesus, for God’s glory and for the joy set before us, when we see the fulfillment of our compassionate and merciful Savior’s great purpose at His return.