James 5 - 2.5.25
Scripture
Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! (James 5:9, NIV).
Observation
James is a wonderful book in the New Testament, full of practical advice on how to live a Christian life. In Chapter 1, James tells us that God will give us wisdom if we ask Him, and that God the Father is looking for people who will care for orphans and widows, and who will keep themselves spotless from sin (James 1:5, 1:27). In Chapter 2, we read about how faith without works is dead (James 2:17, 2:26). We need to show our love to the needy by helping the hungry with food, and clothing the one who needs clothes, and demonstrate our faith by living a life that reflects it (James 2:15,16). Most of Chapter 3 is devoted to the crucial need of controlling our tongue and our words (James 3:6). In Chapter 4, he reminds us that friendship with the world is enmity against God (James 4:4). James reminds us not to judge and say cruel things about our brothers and sisters in the Lord. God is our judge, and we are not authorized to condemn each other (James 4:11). In the last chapter which is the text for today’s reading, James brings it all together and tells us that we should pray. The fervent prayer of a righteous man or woman avails much (James 5:16). The prayer of faith heals the sick (James 5:15).
In verse 9, James reminds us that we should not grumble against each other. He reminds us of the serious consequences of grumbling, complaining and judging our fellow-believers. We will be judged if we do that. God, our judge is at that door. The first generation of Israelites who came out of Egypt did not reach the promised land and ended up wandering for forty years, because of their sin of rebellion, complaining and grumbling. The New Testament reminds us to not grumble, as some of them did and were killed by the destroying angel (1 Cor 10:10).
Gossipping and passing judgement on our fellow-believers is a serious sin in the sight of our Father and opens us to God’s judgement. The Bible asks us “Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, they stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand” (Romans 14:4). God is passionate about His servants and He cares about what is spoken about his children. When Miriam spoke against God’s anointed servant Moses, she had to go through severe judgement of becoming leprous till God healed her on Moses’ prayer (Numbers 12:10). When Korah judged Moses, he and his fellow rebels were swallowed by the ground (Numbers 16:32).
James reminds us about the consequence of judging our fellow believers. The Judge is at the door. He is listening. We are opening ourselves to God’s judgement by judging our brothers and sisters in Christ. Jesus Himself said that in the same way we judge others, we will be judged, and with the measure we use, it will be measured to us (Matthew 7:1-2).
Application
Let us examine ourselves. Are we judgemental to our brothers and sisters? Are we guilty of grumbling and gossipping? If we are, let us repent and ask God to forgive us. God is the judge, and our fellow-Christians are called and appointed by Him. Leave the judgement to Him. Let us judge ourselves, so that we are not judged (1 Cor 11:31). It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Hebrews 10:31).
Prayer
Father, I want to thank you for speaking to me today. Forgive me for the times I have grumbled against my brothers and sisters in Christ. I know that I have offended you, when I spoke against your children. They are your children, and you are able to make them stand, and you have not appointed me to judge them (Rom 14:4). Forgive me, Lord. Help me to live in a way that pleases you. Your word says that you search the intents and motives of my heart (Jer 17:10, Prov 16:2). Show me if I have self-seeking and selfish ambition which displeases you (James 3:16). Help me to have a heart and attitude that pleases you. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of my mouth, but instead let my words be those that edify and give grace to the hearers (Eph 4:29). Let my life be a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to you (Rom 12:1). In Jesus’s name. Amen.
- Asha Chacko George
