James 5:9-12
9 Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door! 10 My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. 11 Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.
12 But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into judgment.
12 But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into judgment.
Since we are to patiently await our Lord’s return without complaining or venting, but by trust in His ultimate justice and grace as Asaph demonstrated in Psalm 73:3, 17, 27. Therefore we should understand the and rest in the assurance of our standing in Christ (Psalm 73:23-26), drawing near to Him by following as we are called to live (Psalm 73:28) in full assurance of faith that works. Remember the prophets of old, how they were sneered at, tortured, and even killed for the sake of trust and obedience! They endured all these things and were blessed forever, as we should also do, looking forward to His mercy and love here and forever. Because of all these things, the way we live must be honest and transparent (2 Corinthians 4:1-2), for if we are true to do and speak rightly, there is no need for oaths to prove what we believe or how we live before God and man. Living in contentment and the assurance of hope allows us to live righteously and godly in this present darkness (Galatians 1:4), leaving no need to swear to God what we wholeheartedly believe. We endure by faith, hope, and love.
No comments:
Post a Comment