AM Bible Study Group; September 5, 2012
James 5:9
Theme: We are to refrain from ‘grumbling’ against each other in the light of the Lord’s return.
(Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are taken from The Holy Bible, New King James Version; copyright 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc.)
The Bible’s teaching of the second coming of Jesus Christ as Ruler and Judge of all the earth is a fundamental tenant of our faith. But it’s not merely an abstract doctrine. The Bible teaches that if we truly understand that Jesus is coming soon—and that we are destined to be like Him at His return—then such a glorious expectation will dramatically affect the way we live right now. (See such passages as Colossians 3:1-4; 2 Thessalonians 1:3-10; and 1 John 3:2-3).
The practical value of the doctrine of Jesus’ return was very much on the mind of Pastor James when he wrote the instructions of James 5:1-12. And he particularly demonstrates its value in verse 9. Under trying circumstances—human nature being what it is—even godly Christians sometimes forget their glorious prospect; and give way to such feelings as jealousy, envy and resentment. This verse shows us how—in the light of the Lord’s return—we are to treat each other as brothers and sisters in Christ in even truly difficult times.
I. THE WARNING: “DO NOT GRUMBLE AGAINST ONE ANOTHER, BRETHREN . . .”
James has already had quite a number of things to say about getting along with each other in the church family (2:1ff,15-16; 3:13-14; 4:1; and especially 4:11). But notice some of the details about this particular warning:
A. In issuing it, James calls his readers “brethren”—emphasizing the ‘family’ context of this instruction. Our family connection with one another is a major theme for Pastor James; and the word ‘brethren occurs four times in verses 7-12 alone. It’s important to remember that we’re family-members together—children together of the same divine Father and siblings together of the same divine Brother. Because we are family in the deepest possible sense, we ought to get along and speak civilly with and toward one another.
B. The prohibition that James gives is not to “grumble” against one another. This isn’t speaking so much of an outward act as it is an inwardly grouchy attitude. Literally, the word means ‘to groan’ (see Hebrews 13:17 where it is translated “grief”). When we groan against one another inwardly, we’re very likely to grumble against one another outwardly.
C. When James gave this command, his words grammatically indicate the assumption that such inward “groaning” was going on at the time. It is a ‘prohibition in the present imperative’. He wasn’t saying, “Now, don’t you start complaining against each other.” Instead, it was as if he was saying, “You’ve got this practice of groaning and complaining and grumbling against each other. But it’s time to stop it. Put an end to this practice. No longer complain against one another as is your habit.”
II. THE REASON FOR THE WARNING: “LEST YOU BE CONDEMNED.”
These words show how serious a matter this ‘grumbling’ is. It may be true that times were hard, and that the pressure was on. But still, brothers and sisters in Christ are called upon to treat each other with genuine brotherly love. In fact, there’s hardly a more important time for us to treat each other with genuine, sacrificial love that during times of trial. And complaining against each other—even with non-verbal expressions of this attitude, like the rolling of our eyes or the shaking of our head—is inconsistent with that love.
A. According to the command of our Lord, our love for each other—that is, a genuine, Christ-like love—is to be our identifying mark as a community of brothers and sisters in Christ. As our Lord said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35; see also 1 John 2:7-11; 4:7-12). And when we’re not behaving in a loving manner to each other, or when we refuse to view each other with love, we are disobeying our Lord’s command.
B. In fact, when we grumble against a brother or sister in Christ, we behave in a way that constitutes the very opposite of Christ’s command to love one another as He has loved us. (1) We would be communicating rejection of that brother or sister to some degree; and forgetting that Christ has accepted them—faults and all. (2) We would also subtly elevate ourselves as better than them; and forget Christ’s patience toward us. (3) We would call the providence of God into question in thinking that we’re ‘stuck’ with this other person; and would have forgotten how much God has forgiven us. Indeed, everything about ‘grumbling’ against a brother or sister is inconsistent with Jesus’ command to us.
C. This helps us better appreciate the reason that stands behind the very serious warning of this verse. We are not to “grumble” against our brother or sister in Christ, James tells us, so that we will not be condemned. As Jesus said, ““Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you” (Matthew 7:1-2).
III. THE MOTIVATION TO HEED THE WARNING: “BEHOLD, THE JUDGE IS SANDING AT THE DOOR.”
What happens when you’re driving; and you check your rear-view mirror and notice that there’s a state-patrol car behind you? What is the first thing you look at on the dashboard? (Be honest!) You see that there’s a cop driving nearby; and so, you make sure that you place your hands on the wheel at the ten-o’clock/two-o’clock position. You check your speed; and are sure to use the turning signal. All of a sudden, you’re a well-behaved driver. In a much more serious way, living with the ongoing awareness that Jesus is coming soon is to have the same sort of motivational effect on us with respect to how we treat each other and other and the attitudes we have toward each other.
A. James first catches our attention with the word ‘Behold’. It’s as if he is saying, “Hey; psssssst—! Look over there! It’s the Judge.” He refers to our Lord as ‘the Judge’—not merely ‘a judge’; nor even ‘a better judge’ than you or me; nor even ‘the best and most qualified judge.’ His words exclude anyone else: He is ‘the Judge’—the only one who may act the part of the judge of our brother or sister—and of us as well.
B. What’s more, he says that the Judge is ‘standing right at the door’. Literally, James uses the plural “doors”. Its as if he’s saying, “He’s standing there, waiting right at the very gates.” This is like what Jesus said in Matthew 24:32-33; “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it[a] is near— at the doors!” The language James is using the same language as we find in Philippians 4:5; “Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.” Our secret, quiet grumblings and murmurings may escape the notice of other people. In fact, we try to be careful to ensure they do. But they nevertheless rise up to the holy and all-hearing ears of King Jesus—He who is the righteous Judge of all, and the Lover of the soul of the very one against whom we complain. It’s sobering to realize that our well-concealed thoughts about each other are not hidden from Him.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Perhaps the Spirit of God is communicating to some of us today that we are guilty of “grumbling” against another in the Body of Christ. Clearly, such an attitude is the opposite of the sincere, mutual love that is to define us as Christians. And what’s even more serious is the fact that it puts us in the position of harboring these attitudes and of muttering these disobedient complaints in the ‘ear-shot’ of the righteous Judge of all; and this puts us in the danger of being judged ourselves for our wrong-doing.
May God help us to see the truth if we are doing so. May we seek from Him the cleansing of our hearts toward each other, and the renewal of our hearts for genuine love toward each other while we can. May we be careful not ignore this matter; because He is standing at the door.
Let there be no grumbles near the doorway!