I’M SAVED, NOW WHAT? (part-48)

I’M SAVED, NOW WHAT?

TAKING A STAND
Not only are we told to be patient,
but we are instructed to stand firm as well.
    You too, be patient and stand firm,
    because the Lord’s coming is near. (James 5:8)

‘Stand firm’ sounds like going into idle mode, but that’s not what
is meant at all. If we are not moving forward, then by default we
are moving backwards. By standing firm, he means that we should
continue maturing spiritually and using our God-given gifts to serve
the Lord.

It is not a passive, but an active command. If standing firm meant being
idle, then we would be in danger of allowing Satan to get a toehold, which
could lead to a foothold, which could lead to a stronghold in our lives. It’s
an old adage but it makes sense – ‘idle hands are the devil’s workshop’.
Whenever you hear the phrase ‘stand firm’, remember it is a call to action.

James also says, “….the Lord’s coming is near”. Considering how long ago
these scriptures were written, did James make a huge mistake? To better
understand his point we should look at some other scriptures.
    Above all, you must understand that in the last days
    scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own
    evil desires. They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he
    promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything
    goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.”
    But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s
    word the heavens came into being and the earth was
    formed out of water and by water. By these waters
    also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed.
    By the same word the present heavens and earth are
    reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment
    and destruction of the ungodly. But do not forget this
    one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a
    thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.
    The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some
    understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you,
    not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come
    to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like
    a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the
    elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and
    everything done in it will be laid bare. Since everything
    will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought
    you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you
    look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.
    That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens
    by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in
    keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a
    new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.
    (2 Peter 3:3-13)

So, when James say His return is near, we have to remember
he is talking about nearness from God’s perspective of time
and not ours. When we look at the increase of evilness in our
world, we may wonder why He doesn’t return today.

Peter clarifies God’s delay by telling us that He does not want
anyone to perish. When we acknowledge God’s patience with
us, we can understand and appreciate His patience with others,
even in a world that seems to become more evil as each day
passes. That is the kind of loving God we worship and serve.

We can also understand that if we are trying to emulate the
characteristics of God, then we need to develop patience.
Patience with others, and patience as we await the Lord’s
return. Even while exercising patience, James advises
us to live as if we expected His return at any moment.

One other point on the nearness of His return – when we die,
in essence the Lord has returned as far as we are concerned.
That means His return was near for us, so James was right
even when we use our perspective of time.

GRUMBLING
When people are going through hard times, who do they most
often take their frustrations out on? It is those closest to them,
right? Why would they choose to make those closest to them
their target? For one thing, they feel more comfortable around
them and know they can openly express their true feelings with
them.

Secondly, it may be that they feel their close friends and family
will still love them even after they have vented. James has a
warning about brothers and sisters in Christ having contentions
with each other.
    Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and
    sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing
    at the door! (James 5:9)

James was warning them (and us) about taking it out on each
other when they were having a tough time. He goes on to say
that we will be judged. Judged about what? We are going to
be accountable to God for how we respond to bad times, and
how we respond when someone vents to us about someone else,
or directly toward us.

We can’t control what others do; we can’t control most of the
things that happen to us; but we can control how we respond
to what happens. God is standing in watch to see how we respond.

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