Our sermon text for this Lord’s Day is James 5:9-11. Here the brother of Jesus addresses a very common problem among all people, and even among those who are in the Church. The ESV translates it as “grumble” (v. 9). James writes, “Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.” The situation that James was addressing was that the believers in the Churches of ancient Asia were suffering oppression from unbelievers, especially wealthy unbelievers (vv. 1-6). Amidst the stresses and pressures of persecution, tensions rose among them. The result was predictable, and one we all understand very well. Their frustrations and disappointments, triggered by the injustices suffered at the hands of others, led to strife and friction. This toxic atmosphere within the body of Christ then gave birth to ‘grumbling’ against one another.

The warning that James gives regarding this sin is as stark as the command that forbids it. Such murmuring, criticizing, and complaining have no place among God’s people. And the reason, as suggested in verse 9, is that grumbling against another believer is a form of judgment. The grumbler is acting as the judge of his fellow-Christian, and this is strictly forbidden by the Lord.

Then, in verses 10-11, James provides some examples of those who faced times of suffering and persecution, and yet maintained an attitude of steadfastness and patience. They accepted their afflictions as coming from God’s hand, and came to know the mercy and compassion of the Lord in a much deeper way (v. 11). In verse 7 James encouraged us to remember the “farmer” and follow his example of patience. In these verses we are to remember the “prophets” and the man named “Job.” If we do, then grumbling will be less of a problem. And like these faithful Old Testament servants of the Lord, we too will be “blessed” even in our tribulations (v. 11).