Patience in the midst of Oppression

James 5:7-13

Introduction

We have just finished the verses where the rich are taking advantage of the poor. By oppressing the poor, withholding their wages, and living luxuriously at the expense of others, their punishment and doom is already announced by the Lord. What should be the attitude of the people being oppressed financially be? James tells us about four things we must do.

I. We are exhorted to be patient and look forward for the coming of the Lord. James 5:7
A. The word patience here means to endure. It is similar to the word longsuffering which is a fruit of the Spirit. The idea is that of endurance under affliction and provocation.
B. The word is used to describe restraint, without anger or revenge, while suffering mistreatment. That is a hard thing to accomplish. Too often we seek revenge instead of waiting on the Lord.
C. Jesus is a wonderful example of this kind of patience and longsuffering

The sufferings we experience now are nothing compared to the glory that awaits us. (Rom. 8:18)
Rom. 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Trials lead to patience. Rom. 5:3 which produces experience (Rom. 5:4) and hope (Rom. 15:4).
Rom. 5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
Rom. 5:4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
Patience is necessary to the inheritance of the promises of God. Heb. 6:12, 10:36.
Heb. 6:12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Heb. 10:36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

Illustration/Application:
Regardless of what the circumstances is, we are told to be patient. The Lord is even called the God of patience in Romans 15:5. That should motivate us to be patient always. The end of this patience is until the coming of the Lord. Surely the Lord Jesus Christ will come and end all our oppressions, trial and sufferings. Like a farmer waiting for the rain, we must be patient.

II. Establish your heart because the Lord will come any time. James 5:8.
A. Establish means to be steadfast. Fixed or unchanging; steady. Firmly loyal. Discouragement and despair can cause us to be weak and become hopeless. The Lord wants us to stand firm and not give in to gloom or misery.

We should be steadfast in faith. 1 Cor. 16:131 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
In holding fast what is good. 1 Thess. 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
God is the one who establishes our hearts. 1 Thess. 3:12-13
1 Thess. 3:12 And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:
1 Thess. 3:13 To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

Illustration/Application:
Mature Christians in times of trouble has stability because they know it’s only temporary. The imminent return of Christ should strengthen us more. All our troubles will end at the rapture that is why we look forward to that day. We live in the blessed hope that the coming of Jesus Christ could be any moment. Phil. 4:5. This is the reason why we should not overly concern ourselves with material things and for those people who takes advantage of others. We cannot do this on our own, only by the power of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. Jn. 15:5,

III. Do not complain, the true judge is very near. James 5:9
A. Grudge here means to murmur or complain. A form of impatience or harsh judgment not spoken loudly or fully expressed.
B. When we complain against our brother we put him down.
C. Jesus will judge our negative attitude toward fellow Christian at the judgment seat of Christ. Romans 14:10, 2 Cor. 5:10.

Application/Illustration:
It’s easy to find fault on other people and to blame them for our troubles. To vent our frustrations on others is just the common thing now. A mature Christian must not complain, harbour grudge, and criticize a fellow believer, because they belong to God’s family. We can leave any discontentment with to the Lord because He is just standing at the door, meaning He is very near and He may come anytime. The prophets and Job were given as a good example in verse 11 and 12. Their patience and longsuffering is a model for us to follow. No revenge or retribution in the midst of oppression and persecution. Those who murmur or complain against the pastor is murmuring against God, just like the Israelites when they murmur against Moses in the wilderness, they are murmuring against God.

IV. But above all things my brethren swear not. James 5:12
A. To swear means to affirm or utter a solemn declaration, with an appeal to God for the truth of what is affirmed.
B. Oaths in the Old Testament served to bind any legal contract and to attest that something is true. The Word of God does not prohibit taking oaths in court or in marriage. Oaths are wrong when they deceive others and used in ordinary conversation. Our language should be simple and true. It’s totally wrong if we carelessly use the name of the Lord. Mat. 5:34-37. Every idle talk will be brought to judgment at the coming of the Lord.
C. We are exhorted to speak the truth. Prov. 12:19, Eph. 4:25.
We should guard our speech in our daily lives. We should not go to the extent of using the name of the Lord just to prove what we are telling is true. Our words should be honest and straightforward. People who are proven to have integrity don’t have to swear because they have kept their words in the past and people believe them.

V. Conclusion:
Let us all be patient. The Lord is coming and it may be sooner than we think. Our patience and long suffering will be rewarded just like a farmer who patiently waits for the rain and then harvest. Murmurings should be avoided and we must tell the truth at all times and we need not swear. Loose talks like Geez for Jesus, Gosh or Golly for God should never be spoken. In the midst of oppression, look unto Jesus and follow His example.