Patience
Martin Luther once famously claimed that the letter of James was an ‘epistle of straw.’ Luther’s comment was centered on the fact that James is a relatively gospel-free book; some even wonder if Luther wanted James’ to be part of the canon of Scripture. I appreciate Luther’s desire for the gospel to be central. Still, I think he misses that in James, rather than being gospel free, every matter addressed is built upon and upheld by the gospel: being “doers of the word,” bridling our tongue, and, perhaps most clearly, displaying our faith through our works. James is supremely applicable in the life of the believer as it addresses how the gospel has changed us and is forming us into Christ’s image. The topic of this post will be limited to chapter 5:1-12 where James begins by addressing the rich, who in their greed lord their wealth over others (vv. 1-6); he then follows this with the believer’s proper response: patient endurance while expectantly waiting for Christ’s return (vv. 7-12).
In reading Chapter 5, it must be noted first that James is not condemning the rich simply for being monetarily wealthy. To recognize this, we must look to v. 4, which reads, “Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvester have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts.” (emphasis added) These people defrauded their workers, leading to self-indulgence (5:5), followed by the height of their sin, putting themselves in the place of God as judge, using the courts to accomplish their self-seeking purposes.
Verses 7-11 address the response that Christians should have in such circumstances: a patient disposition. James writes in v. 7, “Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord.” James does not prescribe vengeance or retaliation; he does not even encourage protest. Instead, v. 9 reads, “Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged.” He instructs his audience to patiently endure until the coming of the Lord and remain steadfast in these last days.
Why must we patiently endure? James uses the Job and the prophets in vv. 10-11. I will say that we also need only to look to Christ. Peter writes, “Do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you. . . But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.” (1 Peter 4:12-13) As He suffered on our behalf and “opened not his mouth” (Isa. 53:7), we too must endure these trials patiently so that we might be made like Him, remembering the Lord’s compassion and mercy toward us in our salvation (5:11).
Friends, facing a fiery trial is so often difficult, especially when we cannot understand why it is happening. But James’ instruction here is not to focus on the trial itself but to look to the God who sees all things. When I was learning to drive, I was taught not to look at the road immediately in front of the vehicle but to look ahead to be better prepared for potential hazards and respond safely. Christians must do the same. If we look at our immediate circumstances, we are bound to stumble in the trial, but if we look ahead, keeping our eyes fixed on Christ and His promised return, we will be equipped in the Holy Spirit to face trials of various kinds, for they are testing us, that our faith may grow to produce steadfastness. (James 1:3)
I’ll close with three words from James 5:8: “Establish your hearts.” The CSB reads, “Strengthen your hearts”; the NIV says, “Stand firm.” Rather than being focused on getting a fair shake, the message for us is to be more concerned that our hearts are prepared for Christ’s return. Our Lord uses these trials to serve as the catalyst to further purify our hearts for His glory and honor. When our hearts are established for Christ’s return, we can then, amid trial, as James instructs, count it all joy that the testing of our faith is producing a steadfastness which, when it has had its full effect, will render us perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.