Daily Writing

Monday, 9 September 2019

But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into judgment. James 5:12

James now steps onto another path of warning and command. He begins with “But above all.” The Greek reads, “However, before all things.” It is the preeminent thought that must be considered. After this, he again (for the fourteenth time in the epistle) addresses the “brethren,” calling them the personal “my brethren.”

With this note of importance and yet with a personal touch to indicate that this is a matter from his heart to theirs, he says, “do not swear.” This is not speaking of profanity, but rather it refers to the taking of an oath of some sort, be it a promise or a vow or the like.

From there, he then says, “neither by heaven or by earth.” It is an all-inclusive statement concerning the created order. Nothing which is a part of creation should be considered as a point of making an oath, such as, “I swear by the stars,” or “I swear by my bank account.” The reason for this is that it is idolatry. It places a value and an importance upon something less than God, which is reserved to God alone.

From there, he says, “or with any other oath.” Someone may simply swear an oath without attaching something of value to it – “I swear that I will do this thing.” James says that we are not even to do this. There are two reasons for this. The first is that it implies that our vow stems from a point of self-worth. In other words, the idolatry of self is actually involved in it. Secondly, there should be no need for such a vow.

When we speak, our words should simply be taken at face value as reliable. As James then says, “But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’” The words from our mouths should be clear enough to be understood without ambiguity, and they should be reliable enough that when another hears us speak, he should understand that the word is confirmed by the character of the man.

James then explains why this is so by saying, “lest you fall into judgment.” He is referring to the entire thought. Judgment will come if we turn our vow into an idolatrous one by swearing when it is connected to something else – be it a created thing, or even self. Judgment will also come if we speak Yes or No, and yet we are not truthful in our words. We have both lied, and we have proven that we cannot be trusted. How much worse is this when we speak as Christians and thus bring discredit upon the name of the Lord because of that title which we bear!

Jesus explains this same precept in Matthew 5 –

“Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ ³⁴ But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; ³⁵ nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. ³⁶ Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. ³⁷ But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.” Matthew 5:34-37

Understanding these things, this verse is unfortunately taken to an unintended extreme by those who attempt to appear more pious than the Bible intends. The way they do this is to refuse to make any vows at all. First, this is contradictory to Scripture because vows are found not only under the law but in other dispensations as well. Secondly, when a vow or an oath is made under the law (which Jesus would not contradict the law in His words), the people of Israel were instructed to take their oaths in the name of the Lord –

“You shall fear the Lord your God and serve Him, and shall take oaths in His name.” Deuteronomy 6:13

“You shall fear the Lord your God; you shall serve Him, and to Him you shall hold fast, and take oaths in His name.” Deuteronomy 10:20

The reason why this is both acceptable and appropriate is that it is rightly placing the Lord as the surety of the vow. It is not idolatry because it is acknowledging that He is the source of all things, and that He alone is worthy of this honor. If Jesus and James had intended for their words to be exclusive of this precept, they would have explicitly said so. But instead, they focused on that which is created and left the precept concerning the Creator untouched, and thus confirmed, as an appropriate precept.

Life application: We have gone through four and one-half chapters of James imploring his reader to live in certain ways, reject various evil attitudes and practices, and to be careful in all kinds of situations. And yet, he comes to this thought and says, “But above all.” In other words, this is hugely important and will guide us to where we can easily attain the other admonitions he has already given us.

Think on how terrific life would be if everyone stuck to James’ words and could be trusted with their simple words of Yes or No! Instead, when someone makes a claim, he will often add in, “Really, I swear!” James says this is sin. If you can’t be trusted with the statement without such a vow, then you can’t be trusted when you make it with such a vow. Adding in more only makes it worse – “Really, I swear on my mother’s grave!” Now he has not only added folly to his statement by swearing, but he has committed idolatry by including an oath connected to something other than the Creator.

By doing this, he has exalted his “mother’s grave” above God! The Lord mandated that vows be made in His name because they are the only oaths which can be acceptable. There is no higher vow that can be made. This is also why the testimony of atheists is of no value. Their moral corruption can never be trusted under any circumstances.

The state of Tennessee understood this precept and included in their constitution this statement – “No person who denies the being of God, or a future state of rewards and punishments, shall hold any office in the civil department of this State.” If a person denies God, then nothing he says can be trusted. When you speak, may your words be of such a high caliber that you can be trusted with a mere “Yes” or “No.”

Lord, we know people who possess high integrity, and we wish to be considered among their ranks. Give us wisdom when we speak so that we will utter words that can be trusted by all. And give us the greater wisdom to follow through with the words we have spoken – confirming the trust placed in our words by others. Amen.

Sunday, 8 September 2019

Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. James 5:11

In the previous verse, James spoke of the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord, using them as his example of suffering and patience. He now states of such people, “Indeed we count them blessed who endure.” He uses a verb found only here and in Luke 1:48 where Mary says that all future generations would call her blessed.

There is a blessing for faithful endurance through suffering, and James highlights that in his thoughts. It is a commendable thing to bear up under suffering when it is for the glory of the Lord. Such was the case with the Old Testament’s premier example of suffering, Job. James brings him into his thoughts now by saying, “You have heard of the perseverance of Job.”

Though not a Hebrew, Job was known for his faithful endurance through suffering even among the Jews. The book which bears his name is an integral part of their canon of Scripture, and it reflects the high regard that the Lord had for Job as a person of righteousness and as a person willing to maintain his composure before the Lord, even in the most difficult times of suffering, loss, and sadness.

Because of this, James then says, “and seen the end intended by the Lord.” The words “intended by” are inserted for clarity. James makes this unusual statement to show that the sufferings of Job came about not because of God’s displeasure, but because He is sovereign over His creation, and this was His means of teaching both Job and those who read his account about the good end which He has purposed for His people, despite their sufferings. And that good end is found in the fact “that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.”

The word translated as “very compassionate” is found only here in Scripture, and it is believed that James invented the word for this particular statement. It is one which means “many-boweled.” The bowels are considered the place of the deepest emotions, and thus it signifies the multi-faceted and heartfelt emotions of God towards His people.

The other word, translated as “merciful,” is found here and twice in Luke 6:36. All three instances are speaking of the mercy of God. As HELPS Word Studies says of this word, it signifies “experiencing deep pity (lamentation) as God has for people who look to Him for help in their difficult situations.”

One can see that these two words signify both the feelings of the Lord and the act by the Lord in relation to those feelings. He is very compassionate, and that state is worked out in His being merciful.

In remembering that this is based on the sufferings of His people, James is showing us (his audience) that this is what we too can expect from the Lord, despite any sufferings we face or may face in the future. The Lord is aware of those things, and He is with us in our woeful state, bringing us to a good end.

Life application: Most people know at least a portion of the story of Job. The book begins with –

“There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil. ² And seven sons and three daughters were born to him. ³ Also, his possessions were seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred female donkeys, and a very large household, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the East.” Job 1:1-3

Very quickly, the narrative shows that he lost everything mentioned here and was left with only a nagging wife and boils covering his body from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head. Despite this, Job never swayed in his convictions and continued to praise and exalt God. He understood that God truly is “very compassionate and merciful.”

Towards the end of the book of Job, it records –

“Now the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning; for he had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, one thousand yoke of oxen, and one thousand female donkeys. ¹³ He also had seven sons and three daughters.” Job 42:12, 1

As you can see, Job was given a double portion of everything he had lost; God restored to him and added more. The sadness and pain of the time between his loss and restoration was swept away. The Lord promises to have this same compassion and mercy upon us as well.

Despite facing trials, loss, and death, we can have complete confidence that all wrongs will be righted. This is not a guarantee for prosperity in this life. Instead, we have a greater guarantee – that of eternal life and no lack or want forever. This has been guaranteed to all who follow Jesus Christ. If you are facing the years of trial, sadness, or loss, just remember they have an end. The Lord is ever gracious and merciful and He knows how to care for His beloved children. Let’s praise Him for this –

Yes Lord! We praise You and give You glory and honor for Your tenderness and care. Despite our trials and hardships, we know that You have promised full and complete restoration. May You be praised! May You be praised! Glory, honor, and majesty to You! May You be praised! Amen.

Saturday, 7 September 2019

My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. James 5:10

James has said that “the coming of the Lord is at hand” (verse 8). However, he also said that his audience is also to be patient. What is true, then, is that the coming of the Lord being “at hand” means at any given time, but not specifically in a short amount of time. It is obvious now, two thousand years after he wrote this, that this is true. And as a part of the wait – no matter how long it will be – the brethren can expect trials. And in those trials, there is to be an acknowledgment that they are not unknown to the Lord.

Understanding this, he says, “My brethren.” As he has done numerous times, he indicates that his letter is written to believers who are “brethren” in Christ. This is not without importance, because he next says, “take the prophets.” He is making a connection between the prophets of old and the brethren in the church. In essence, “As they were, so you should be.”

He then further clarifies who “the prophets” are that he is speaking of by saying, “who spoke in the name of the Lord.” He is obviously referring to the true prophets, not the lengthy list of false prophets recorded in books such as Jeremiah. Were the true prophets exempt from difficulty which extended out for unknown durations of time? No! Rather, they faced the same limitations as anyone else. And they also faced suffering like anyone else. But James says to look to them “as an example of suffering and patience.”

The meaning of this is that they suffered, but that they were also patient in their suffering. Patience here implies not knowing how long they would suffer, but they bore up through their trials. Jeremiah was called to be a prophet, and at the time of his calling he was told that things would be tough –

“‘They will fight against you,
But they shall not prevail against you.
For I am with you,’ says the Lord, ‘to deliver you.’” Jeremiah 1:19

Daniel faced the lions, his three friends faced the fiery furnace, Isaiah was told to go about naked and barefoot, Ezekiel’s wife was taken from him and he was instructed to not mourn over her. On and on, the record of the prophets reflected that of difficulty, trial, and suffering. And yet they were patient in their affliction because they knew the Lord was with them. And the believers in Christ have this same guarantee –

“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” Hebrews 13:5

James is imploring his audience to understand that the same Lord of the prophets is the Lord of the church. Believers in Him have the same assurance of affliction that the prophets did, but they also have the same promise of His faithfulness that the prophets possessed. Paul was told this right at the beginning of his ministry –

“But the Lord said to him, ‘Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. ¹⁶ For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.’” Acts 9:15, 16

Paul knew that suffering lay ahead, and yet he accepted his commission (see Acts 26:19) without reservation. James is asking for his reader to consider these things, to understand that suffering is a part of the human experience of which believers are not exempt, and to be patient through that suffering – no matter how long it will continue.

Life application: So much for the “prosperity gospel” where everyone gets wealthy and lives carefree lives after accepting Jesus! James reminds us that the very people who received God’s word were often the ones who suffered the most. The Lord’s chosen were placed in stocks, stoned, deprived of food, and tortured.

These great heroes of the faith accepted what God chose for them because they understood that God is sovereign. He created them and has every right to portion out both blessings and hardships. Likewise, we need to accept the good and the bad, the joyous and that which saddens, and prosperity and poverty.

We can carry a like attitude during all circumstances when we have a strong and grounded faith. It is this type of faith that God is pleased with and which He acknowledges with favor. When we can look beyond the moment and see the eternal rewards in store, then we have truly come to that comfortable spot where nothing can steal our joy.

As the Psalmist of old said –

“I called on the Lord in distress;
The Lord answered me and set me in a broad place.
⁶ The Lord is on my side;
I will not fear.
What can man do to me?” Psalm 118:5, 6

Heavenly Father, it is easy to read words of courage and strength during suffering, but it is much harder to actually live that way ourselves. Give us the ability to praise You and to accept what You have given us – good or bad – that we may be true children of faith. May You be the One who is glorified through our lives. Amen.

Friday, 6 September 2019

Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door! James 5:9

James now gives words of instruction for the wait which will end at “the coming of the Lord” as stated in verse 7. It could be a long one, and during that period he instructs the brethren to “not grumble against one another.” The word used signifies a sigh or a groan. By saying, “against one another,” it then signifies to grumble or complain.

This is certainly referring to being impatient, envious, grumpy, haughty, and the like. When we are in such a condition, we may grumble against other brothers, but this is inappropriate. Further, it signifies that we feel we have no one that we are accountable to in our grumbling. We might say in our minds, “Jesus is a long way off,” and because of this, we will tend to forget how we are expected to act. In this, James says, “lest you be condemned.”

Here, there is a variance in manuscripts. Some translate it as “condemned,” while others translate it as “judged.” Judged is certainly the more likely. First, it is the exact words of Matthew 7:1 where “judged” is used. Secondly, there is the truth that there is “now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.” Jesus is not coming to condemn His people, but to judge them. And this is what James then says to those who forget that this is so. He calls out, “Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!”

He just said in the previous verse that “the coming of the Lord is at hand.” In the previous chapter, he spoke of those who boastfully speak of “tomorrow” as if they have a claim to it. But James said that it is otherwise. We don’t know our next breath, nor do we know if our heart will beat again. Likewise, we do not know when Christ will return. There was to be a constant anticipation of His return from the moment he left. And that is still true today.

Christ stands at the door, and His people are to be ever-mindful of this, not grumbling against one another, not boasting about tomorrow, and simply waiting patiently for His perfect timing. And more, the idea of Jesus standing at the door as Judge is reflected in the words of Revelation 3:20 –

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”

Christ is the Judge for salvation or condemnation of those who either will or will not come to Him, and He is the Judge of those who do come to Him for reward and loss. At all times, He is the Judge, and He stands at the door.

Life application: In this chapter, James has admonished us concerning the following –

1) We are told to be patient until the Lord’s coming. This tells us it is something that must be waited on and can refer to any amount of time. It is indeterminate in nature.

2) The farmer waits on the time of harvest, and the Bible speaks of the work of the Lord through various types of harvests.

3) Just as the farmer needs to be patient for the rains to come, so the people waiting on the Lord should wait. If James’ words concerning the coming of the spring and autumn rains refers to the return of both rains to the land of Israel, which has finally happened after 2000 years, then the return of these rains may indicate the general time of the Lord’s return.

4) As we wait, we need to not grumble – judgment, though seemingly a long way off, is certainly coming. And,

5) When the times indicated arrive, the Judge will be standing at the door. This could be referring to the rapture as indicated in Revelation 4:1 –

“After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, ‘Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.’”

At the rapture, the trumpet will sound, the door to heaven will be open, and the people of God will be translated in the twinkling of an eye. Then the door will be closed and judgment will fall on the unbelieving, unrepentant world.

Are we close to the return of Jesus? Well, one thing is for certain – we’re 2000 years closer than when the New Testament was penned! Keep looking up, Jesus is coming – be it soon or be it a while more, Jesus is coming.

O God! What a great and glorious hope we have in Christ. Just to see Your face, Lord Jesus. Just to see Your face! We wait on You with antici….. pation! Until then, give us patient hearts. The wait will be worth it when the trumpet sounds and the call is made. Even so, Come Lord Jesus. Amen.

Thursday, 5 September 2019

You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. James 5:8

James repeats his words of the previous verse. They are set in parallel –

7) Therefore be patient, brethren

8) You also be patient

The meaning of “You also be patient” is based on what he said about the farmer in verse 7, that he waits for the precious fruit of the earth, and that his waiting is based on the coming of the former and latter rains. Each thing is interconnected, and there is nothing the farmer can do about what lies ahead once the seed is sown. Likewise, James says, “Establish your hearts.”

The word translated as “establish” gives the sense of strengthening, being steadfast, or being fixed and firm. Here, James says that the hearts of the believers are to be so established. They are not to waiver. In the Bible, the heart is not speaking of the physical heart which pumps blood, but of the mind which is the seat of moral reasoning.

One can see that he is basing this exhortation on the treatment from the rich which was mentioned in the first six verses of the chapter. There is fraud and there is deceit in the world, but it does not mean that the Lord will never show up to correct it. The time of the coming forth of “the precious fruit of the earth” of the previous verse is a part of a fixed cycle which will come about in its due time. Thus, the admonition to establish the heart is set in parallel to those words concerning the ripening of the fruit –

7) See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth

8) Establish your hearts

Paul made a similar encouraging exhortation to the saints at Thessalonica –

“And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, ¹³ so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.” 1 Thessalonians 3:12, 13

James then explains why his reader is to establish his heart. It is because “the coming of the Lord is at hand.” Again, this is set in parallel to the words of verse 7 –

7) Waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain.

8) For the coming of the Lord is at hand.

James is equating the coming of the early and latter rain directly to the coming of the Lord, meaning His second coming. Why would he do this when Israel was receiving these rains when he wrote this epistle? It is because it was prophesied by the prophet Hosea. Hosea prophesied 700+ years before James of a time when Israel would return to the Lord. The obvious meaning is that they must first turn from the Lord. The prophecy of Hosea shows this, but it also shows more –

“Come, and let us return to the Lord;
For He has torn, but He will heal us;
He has stricken, but He will bind us up.
² After two days He will revive us;
On the third day He will raise us up,
That we may live in His sight.
³ Let us know,
Let us pursue the knowledge of the Lord.
His going forth is established as the morning;
He will come to us like the rain,
Like the latter and former rain to the earth.” Hosea 6:1-3

Hosea said that “After two days He will revive us,” and “On the third day, He will raise us up.” This is actually a prophecy of the ending of Israel’s second, extended exile. As the Bible records in Psalm 90:4 and 2 Peter 3:8, a day to the Lord is like a thousand years and a thousand years is like a day, this is a prophecy that Israel would be exiled for 2000 years and then revived, and in the third day (the third millennium) Israel would be raised up.

Hosea then equates the coming of the Lord to be “like the rain,” and “Like the latter and former rain to the earth.” As noted in the commentary in the previous verse, these rains were interrupted in Israel after their exile. The land became barren and unproductive. Only with the return of Israel, their draining of the swamps and planting of millions of trees, and etc, have these cyclical rains returned. It is a sign – a prophetic sign to the world, and believers in particular – that “the coming of the Lord is at hand.”

Life application: Never mind that this was written 2000 years ago. The verse needs to be taken in its proper context. James was talking to the recipients of his letter about being patient, just as the farmer is patient. The body of believers is to wait on the Lord for His return through any time-frame, be it 100 years or 25000 years.

Considering that the church is made up of individuals, the Lord’s coming for each of us really isn’t that far away regardless of when He actually returns to earth. We will each be called home after a short walk on this earth. We need, therefore, to stand firm and be patient each day we live. None of us knows the hour of our death, nor do we know the time of the Lord’s second coming. So we simply need to be about His business at all times.

Don’t be misguided by preachers or Bible teachers who deny the rapture of the church. Christ is coming for His church at the rapture. This will be followed by a 7-year period known as the tribulation, during which Israel will be the center of attention.

After this, there will be a literal 1000-year reign of Christ on earth known as the millennium. These verses are to be taken literally, but they are often dismissed as allegory because they otherwise differentiate between the church and Israel. If you believe the church replaced Israel, then you will inevitably come to the wrong conclusion about future events. But if you believe, as the Bible teaches, that Israel has a specific role which is yet to be fulfilled, then you will be able to understand the other future events in their proper context.

Lord, open our eyes to understand where our doctrine is wrong. And then, help us to not be stubborn, but to correct it according to the truth of Your word. May our thoughts on what is revealed concerning Jesus, salvation, and those things which are to come align properly with what You have given us. And Lord, help us to defend the integrity of Your word concerning all of these glorious things! Amen.