Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 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. But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation. (James 5:7-12 ESV)
James is usually a book we as Lutherans overlook because it talks about how we have to do works. Faith without works is dead, but as Lutherans we believe there is no work we can do that can get us into heaven, so we try to stay away from all works. But true faith will lead us to do good works, not because of what we get for it, but because we are so moved by that which we have been given we have to do the good works…
But in this passage James says not to grumble against one another so that we may not be judged. Isn’t that interesting, because he continues the statement that the true judge is at the door and is going to judge us, but before He comes through the door we should all be focused on spreading His love and helping others see the relationship they can have with Him. Not all of the problems that we as His followers have getting along. If we judge one another how does that help to bring others to Him? If all the outside world sees us as Christians doing is fighting over who is right and who is going to hell then why would they want anything to do with the life saving gift of a relationship with Christ? If all they see are people who judge each other for the wrongs they are doing when they are doing the wrong they blame some one else for just as much as the other is, why would they want to know more about God?
So that you may not be judged, do not grumble with your brothers and sisters trying to be right and make them wrong. Get along and allow others to see the love that God has for you, and them.
We get in the way of people coming to God by judging our brothers and sisters and those who are seeking. Casting Crowns says it great in the song Jesus Friend of Sinners – “The world is on their way to you, but they’re tripping over me.” Do not be a stumbling block for the world to get to God, make straight the paths, and help people see the love waiting for them!
aSacredRebel 