My God and My Country

The General Epistle of James the Apostle Chapter 5:7-12

7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the former, and the latter rain.

8 Be ye also patient therefore, and settle your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth near.

9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.

10 Take, my brethren, the Prophets for an example of suffering adversity, and of long patience, which have spoken in the name of the Lord.

11 Behold, we count them blessed which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have known what end the Lord made. For the Lord is very pitiful and merciful.

12 But before all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, nor by earth, nor by any other oath: but let your yea, be yea, and your nay, nay, lest ye fall into condemnation.

Cross references:

James 5:12 : Matthew 5:34

Editor’s thoughts

Verses 7-1-8, 10-11: Note the words patience and established. Friends, let us be solid in our beliefs in Christ and His Gospel, that we might be well grounded in the faith, and in His word. As was written by we must run the race indeed to receive the crown of glory, but we must run with endurance (Read Hebrews 12:1).

Take notice of the Olympians that run those 5k or 10 k races. They run with the determination as established by patience. They do not sprint and fade out unable to finish. Nay, my brethren, they pace themselves waiting for the final lap to move forward and advance towards the end. Each one strives to do their best, as should we also strive.

Verse 9: Speak ill of none, and likewise speak words of life towards each other. Remember in an earlier chapter how the Apostle James compares the tongue to a fire that can easily burn out of control.

Verse 12: Make no promises that you may not be able to keep. In all things, just be simple and honest in your words, let yea be yea, and no be no. Also remember, as we read in a previous chapter, that we are but a vapor in the early morning, or a dew on the grass, that will soon be gone by the midday Sun. Therefore, friends, make no assurances for the next day.