Tiago 5

Tiago 5

Johnson adds John 9:4 is "a good text for us who are believers [and still breathing]! It’s important for us to remember, whether young or old, that we have just one opportunity to be faithful to our Lord, to accomplish things for Him. And it is NOW. This is our opportunity. And incidentally, if your life is almost up humanly speaking, He still has a purpose for you. You’re here for a purpose, and the purpose is that in your life you may glorify Him. It’s all optimism as long as you’re breathing. God evidently has a distinct purpose for you." And again Paul writes (keep in mind these are some of his last words - look what he is placing emphasis upon!) "in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing." (2 Ti 4:8+ ) Jesus gives a similar warning in the context of the Great Tribulation, right before He returns to make all things right! "So, you too, when you see all these things, recognize (present imperative) that He is near, right at the door." (Mt 24:33+, cf Mk 13:29+) The apostle John writes "For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son... 27 and He gave Him (JESUS) authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man." (John 5:22, 27) ‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. (Rev 3:20+) Standing is in the perfect tense picturing Jesus as still standing there, every ready to return. Standing is an interesting description for we know that He is seated at the right hand of His Father (Heb 1:3, Heb 10:12, Heb 12:2) The description in Heb 12:2 is that Jesus "has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God," where "sat down" is in also in the perfect tense which speaks of continuing effect. I am not sure how to resolve this except to suggest that standing right at the door is a figurative expression which conveys the sense of His imminent return. In sum standing right at the door signifies that Jesus' judgment is imminent. All that has to happen is for the door to "open" and Jesus returns to judge the living and the dead! There used to be a common phrase used in jest "Here come da' judge." James is not jesting! We all need to get our lives in order, asking God to search our heart for blind spots (Ps 139:23-24), confessing, repenting and walking in the Spirit for the glory of the Lord. Rod Mattoon - George Bernard Shaw said when he was 19 years old, "Our conduct is influenced not so much by our experiences, but by our expectations." Martin Luther said, "I preach as though Christ died yesterday, arose from the dead today, and is coming back tomorrow." Do you look for the return of the Lord today? What are your expectations? Jesus told us to occupy until He returns. This was His challenge to us. God help us all to serve Him until He returns or until we meet Him in death. May we live, looking up! (Mattoon's Treasures from James) As Robert Moffatt said “We have all eternity to celebrate our victories but one short hour before sunset in which to win them." Missionary Adoniram Judson spoke one of my favorite quotes "A life once spent is irrevocable. It will remain to be contemplated through eternity… If it has been a useless life, it can never be improved. Such will stand forever and ever. The same may be said of each day. When it is once past, it is gone forever. All the marks which we put upon it, it will exhibit forever… Each day will not only be a witness of our conduct, but will affect our everlasting destiny (Note: Not in loss of salvation but of rewards - cp 1Co 3:11, 12, 13, 14, 15, Jn 15:5, 2Co 5:10+, cp 1Ti 4:7, 8+). No day will lose its share of influence in determining where shall be our seat in heaven. How shall we then wish to see each day marked with usefulness! It will then be too late to mend its appearance. It is too late to mend the days that are past. The future is in our power. Let us, then, each morning, resolve to send the day into eternity in such a garb as we shall wish it to wear forever. And at night let us reflect that one more day is irrevocably gone, indelibly marked." (See page 33-34 of A memoir of the life and labors of the Rev. Adoniram Judson) James 5:10 As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. NET James 5:10 As an example of suffering and patience, brothers and sisters, take the prophets who spoke in the Lord's name. GNT James 5:10 ὑπόδειγμα λάβετε, ἀδελφοί, τῆς κακοπαθίας καὶ τῆς μακροθυμίας τοὺς προφήτας οἳ ἐλάλησαν ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι κυρίου. NLT James 5:10 For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. KJV James 5:10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. ESV James 5:10 As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. ASV James 5:10 Take, brethren, for an example of suffering and of patience, the prophets who spake in the name of the Lord. CSB James 5:10 Brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the Lord's name as an example of suffering and patience. NIV James 5:10 Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. NKJ James 5:10 My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. NRS James 5:10 As an example of suffering and patience, beloved, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. YLT James 5:10 An example take ye of the suffering of evil, my brethren, and of the patience, the prophets who did speak in the name of the Lord; NAB James 5:10 Take as an example of hardship and patience, brothers, the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. NJB James 5:10 For your example, brothers, in patiently putting up with persecution, take the prophets who spoke in the Lord's name; GWN James 5:10 Brothers and sisters, follow the example of the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. They were patient when they suffered unjustly. BBE James 5:10 Take as an example of pain nobly undergone and of strength in trouble, the prophets who gave to men the words of the Lord. As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience: 2Ch 36:16 Jer 2:30 Mt 5:11,12 21:34-39 23:34-37 Lu 6:23 13:34 Ac 7:52 1Th 2:14,15 Heb 11:32-38 take the prophets who spoke: Isa 39:8 Jer 23:22 26:16 Ac 3:21 Heb 13:7 James 5 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries EXAMPLES OF PATIENCE IN FACE OF SUFFERING To further encourage the afflicted saints, James directs their attention to the godly examples of OT men who suffered and patiently endured. The writer of Hebrews takes a similar approach in his exhortation to his suffering and wavering Jewish readers And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope (NOTE: HOPE IS ASSOCIATED WITH FULL ASSURANCE) until the end, so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience (makrothumia) inherit the promises. (Heb 6:11-12+) Comment - "So we can define hope, in the New Testament sense, as full assurance, or strong confidence that God is going to do good to us in the future." (John Piper) See also Steven Cole's comment on example below. The OT is profitable for our spiritual steadfastness (James has just commanded the believers to "strengthen your hearts"). Along that same theme Paul wrote For whatever was written in earlier times (OLD TESTAMENT) was written for our instruction, (WHY?) so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. (Romans 15:4+) Now these things happened (IN THE OLD TESTAMENT) as examples for us, (WHY?) so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved.....11 Now these things happened (OT) to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. (1 Cor 10:6,11) Comment - Notice the repetition of for our instruction and example, and here James gives the saints the example of Job. In fact at this time most likely the only Bible the saints had was the Old Testament! As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience - Note that James is directing his charge to the brethren, the believers. Patience is a part of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22+), which clearly calls for the brethren to daily seek to be Spirit filled (Eph 5:18+). As an aside do not think if you serve the Lord faithfully, you will be free of trials and spiritual attacks. In fact you can count on suffering for Jesus (cf Php 1:29+, 2 Ti 3:12+) The prophets suffered because they spoke in the Name of Jehovah, and if you speak in the Name of the Lord, you too will be persecuted for Christ. Steven