Warning to the Oppressor and Help for the Oppressed

Resurrection Wisdom in a Perishing World – Part 9

Hear, I-AM

(James 5:1-12, Preaching: Pastor Stephen Magee, May 11, 2014)

[5:1] Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. [2] Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. [3] Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days. [4] 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 harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. [5] You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. [6] You have condemned and murdered the righteous person. He does not resist you.TO OPPRESORS: Only with the eyes of faith can we see things rightly. Sin leads to confusion. Repentance brings clearer spiritual vision. Pride has its own vision. It sees what it knows from the world right now. Humble faith believes the Word of the Lord and makes a very different assessment. Pride sees present comforts. Faith knows that misery is coming upon those who oppress the poor. Pride counts up present riches and dresses in fancy garments. Faith knows that the riches of this age will not endure the judgment of God. Pride says “Peace, Peace,” when there is no peace. Faith knows that evidence is even now being gathered against those who defraud their neighbors, who live in self-indulgence, and who destroy the righteous.

[7] 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. [8] You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. [9] Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. [10] As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. [11] 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.TO THE OPPRESSED: What can the righteous do in the face of powerful oppressors? Be patient until the coming of the Lord. Sow seeds of faith and obedience and look for the early and the latter rain before you start harvesting. Establish your hearts on the truth from God's Word rather than what your eyes see or your emotions feel. The Lord is at hand. Avoid the trap of constant critique. It is only grumbling, and grumbling has never been commended by the Lord. The judge is standing at the door. Consider the prophets. See Isaiah 6:8-13, 58:6-9a. Think about what happened to the righteous man Job. See Job 42:10-17. Set your heart on Jesus, the I-AM who became man and who died on a cross. The most blessed man we know of endured the worst trial. He remained steadfast. The Lord knows how to bring great blessing out of situations of injustice and suffering. He has a good purpose. The Lord is compassionate and merciful.

[12] 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. (See Matthew 5:33-37 for more context. See also Matthew 11:25-30.)

Wait for the Lord. Resist every temptation to make a religious show. Obey and pray.

Put the Word to Work: The life of faith is about hearing and being heard. The big issue for us is not how everyone else is sinning. Are we sinning? What has the Lord revealed that will help us today? We need the great I-AM to hear us and to say in the words of Isaiah 58:9, “Here I am.” Pride will not be a safe companion in spiritual battle. The Lord will hear the humble.

Our ears have heard Your voice. O hear our prayer.