Tuesday: Grumbling, Groaning, and Growing
When is the Second Coming? Why are we still here? It’s not surprising that now, in the 21st century, we have doubters and scoffers. In the history of the church, this is nothing new. The most dangerous threats to Israel throughout its history came not from their enemies but from within their own ranks and from within their own hearts. Likewise as the coming of the Lord approaches, we have far more to fear from within than from without. . . . The unbelief indulged, the doubts expressed, the darkness cherished, encourage the presence of evil angels, and open the way for the accomplishment of Satan’s devices.-Ellen G. White, Last Day Events, p. 156.
Image © Standard Publishing from GoodSalt.com
Therefore James 5:9 warns us, Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door. What grudges or grumbles against others, or even against the church, have you had (and maybe at times with good cause too)? The question is, How have you handled them? With meekness, humility, and forgiveness, as you have been forgiven by God (see Luke 7:39-50) or by worldly standards? Be honest with yourself!
From what we have read earlier in this epistle, it seems that there were serious challenges among the believers, including favoritism (James 2:1, James 2:9), evil surmising (James 2:4), and evil speaking toward one another(James 3:10, James 4:11), envy (James 3:14), quarrels (James 4:1), and worldliness (James 4:4, James 4:13-14). Consistently, James directs us to deep solutions to these problems: faith (James 1:3, James 1:6), the implanted word (James 1:21, NKJV), beholding the law of liberty (James 1:25, James 2:12, NKJV), single-mindedness and godly wisdom (James 3:13, James 3:17), grace (James 4:6), and clean hands and a pure heart (James 4:8). He also insists that there be outward expressions of God’s inward workings (James 2:14-26), including visiting the afflicted and forgotten (James 1:27), showing mercy (James 2:13), and sowing peace rather than discord (James 3:18).
Ultimately, we are accountable to God; the One to whom we must give account is the Lord who is the Judge and who will give to everyone according to his work.
As we wait for the Lord’s return, what are positive ways you can encourage and uplift others? Why is it important that you do so?
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It is very important NOT TO grumble against our brothers/sisters in Christ. Times of hardship can cause us to be less than loving with our Christian brothers and sisters,so James reminds us that we cannot become grumblers and complainers in our hardship lest we be condemned even in our hardship. The word said in James 5:9, "Behold, the Judge is standing at the door"! Therefore, Jesus comes as a Judge, not only to judge the world, but also to assess the faithfulness of Christians (2 Corinthians 5:10). In light of this, we cannot allow hardship to make us unloving towards each other.
James 5:9
Grudge not one against another, brothers, lest you be condemned: behold, the judge stands before the door.
In previous study we were implored to be patient with the unjust, the ungodly. But V9 brings reality home that it may be easier to bear with and forgive those outside becos afterall we don't live with them closely.
It is sadly a possibility to "groan" against fellow believers (even fellow family members) and even quite complicated to forbear (give in) and resolve with such close pipo compared to the outsiders in V8.
Sad again, is the source of this groaning! Like sr Lisa's contribution, times of hardship can cause us to groan. Other sources are envy, imaginations that the other party looks down on us or simply our being negative towards these close pipo, which all kud be stemming from hardship.
To groan is sin considering the source of that groan, to refuse to forbear (give in to allow for peace or open heart to resolve) is making yoself equal to the only One fit to judge!
Let's not insist on using our standard so that if others do it another way, we groan. Let's be willing to budge brethren.
Let's also desist from judging or reacting based on wat we think we see in the sis or bro. Only God reads the intent.
Ours is to pray for oneness or unity, for God's will to prevail and for us to accept God's will.
And this is our work (sanctification,) of a lifetime till we either pass on here or live to see Jesus second coming!
God already knows who are His and that is why He only passed judgement on the one who was not wearing the wedding garment and all he had to do was view his guests at the wedding reception in His parable of the wedding feast. It did not take Him but a glance to see the one not having Jesus' robe of righteousness. There was no investigation here just a simple Divine viewing and glancing at the guests present. I praise His Holy Name for this!
I find this an interesting comment from Henry's commentary:
Grudge not one against another; the words mē stenazete signify, Groan not one against another, that is, “Do not make one another uneasy by your murmuring groans at what befalls you, nor by your distrustful groans as to what may further come upon you, nor by your revengeful groans against the instruments of your sufferings, nor by your envious groans at those who may be free from your calamities: do not make yourselves uneasy and make one another uneasy by thus groaning to and grieving one another.
I notice that some people are always negative, complaining and groaning about all their woes in life. It almost seems like a competition to see who has the most woes.
Sure we all have troubles and it does help to share them with supportive friends, but moaning and groaning every day over every little things just brings those around you down and influencing others to be negative.
I prefer an attitude of gratitude, as Christians we are the most blessed because Jesus loves us, died for us and He is coming back to take us to be with Him. Everything else is minor.
2Co 4:16 For this cause we do not faint; but though our outward man perishes, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.
2Co 4:17 For the lightness of our present affliction works out for us a far more excellent eternal weight of glory,
2Co 4:18 we not considering the things which are seen, but the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are not lasting, but the things which are not seen are everlasting.
Amen my sister,we tend to over look the blessings that we have received to complain about the things we do not have.We grumble and groan about our trial,when they are only there to make us strong.I agree with you we need to have an attitude of praise and thankfulness,after all great is the Lord faithfulness towards us and He is greatly to be praise.
I believe the following could help us in accompaniment w/studying God Word and supplication for His help to die to self that Christ lives through us:
Dr. Andrew Weil's Holistic Health Secrets (though he's told the world so they're not really 'secret'.) http://www.doctoroz.com/article/dr-andrew-weil-5-holistic-health-secrets?page=3
Gratitude Journal: Gratitude is shown to help ward off depression. So keep a journal and during the day make mental notes of the things you are grateful for – simple things such as friendship, a sunny day, a good cup of coffee, anything at all. At night, jot them down. By doing this for just one week, you can boost your entire mood for up to 6 months.
4-7-8 Breathing: A strong correlation exists between emotions and breathing – the perfect example of mind and body unity. People who are anxious or upset breathe rapid, shallow, noisy and irregular breathes. It’s easier to regulate your breathing than flip a switch on your mood. Try this technique known as 4-7-8 Breathing.
Place the tip of your tongue against the ridge behind and above your front teeth.
Exhale through your mouth, making a whooshing sound.
Close your mouth and inhale deeply through your nose to a silent count of 4.
Then hold your breath for a count of 7.
Exhale through the mouth to a count of 8, and make the same whooshing sound.
Repeat for 4 breath cycles.
Do this twice a day and you’ll be amazed by how easily calm washes over you.
It's a big challenge indeed within among Christians to an extent that some some end up leaving the church claiming "I have left for them their church" or just shift & start worshiping from a different locality. However, we should clearly understand the church belongs to God & it's is only Him we serve, not fellow humans. But still we need to work out all possible means to reconcile with our brethren in case of any differences.
Yes, and Jesus Himself left the offender His counsel in Matthew 5:23, 24 and for the offended the one in Matthew 18:15-17. There is no excuse for anyone to leave a particular church unless it is because God Himself wants them to minister elsewhere. Other than that, the offended is to seek reconciliation on a one on one basis first and the offender is to stop his worshipping activities and seek reconciliation with the one he has offended before he continues his worshipping activities.
While still waiting for the coming of the lord how are we supposed to conduct ourselves. first and foremost We have to use our talents not to burry them, secondly we have to show love to others by Giving them food shelter visiting the sick and those who are in prison. and thirdly we have to trim our lamps. let us work our salvation with fear and trembling as we wait for that blessed assurance.
The fool says in his heart there is no God,when Christians say no to the will of God isn't he saying like the fool?The Lord says not to judge,no excuse is good enough for us to do so.We take advantage of God's unconditional love yet we refuse to try and love those we deemed unlovable always depending on God's unchanging grace mean while we fail miserably when it is our time to reciprocate the same.I thank God for His word and the leading of His Holy Spirit, I thank Him, for today i'm given another chance to amend my wicked ways,what I thought to be okay but now I know is not and so my prayer is Lord help me by thy grace to do right in thy sight.
It is in our nature to be negative (I believe heard something like 80%). My sister in law emailed me this morning a quote that says: If you don't leave your past in the past, it will destroy your future. Lets join Paul who said: "But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" Philippians 3:13-14.
I believe this is only possible once a 'Christian' has examined their past and lifted it to God for examination, forgiveness, and reconciliation (if necessary.) Once a Christian has done this, it is a matter of trusting God when He says He's forgotten it, He means it.
Best wishes.
There's a saying that goes like 'Treat everyone you meet nicely, you dont know the struggles they're going through.' As christians, this' what we should do. We have our own share of misfortunes, but dont go crying on everybody you meet. If you need help, ask for it nicely without burdening anyone.
You dont need to have the world to help someone. With the least we have, let us be willing to share.
I need soooo much help w/negativity and have the fortune to always work with at least one person who does not seem affected w/negativity. I look to these people for example but . . . I esp. appreciate those who can help me see a different perspective.
The more I think on my negativity the more I realize it is Me thinking of Me.
-- It is not me TRUSTING God.
-- It is not me Died to Self, That Christ Might Live Within/Through me.
-- It is not me trying to see anyone's perspective, except my own.
-- Is is me being selfish, insecure, unloving, unfruitful.
(I'm sure the list can go on and on.)
I wake up crying b/c of my daily failures and wonder if there is any hope. Somethimes, I've given up b/c I didn't get the instant attitude adjustment I'm praying for; esp., since the Bible tells me that only God can change me. I wonder why the Holy Spirit seems to be passing me by. My skull seems too thick for God to penetrate and my heart seems too hard for God to work into clay. My memory seems too dull to remember the Bible verses in the heat of emotion. I will not tell people that I'm a christian b/c I know that somehow I will misrepresent God.
It is so easy to say we should/shouldn't be/do this/that. It is another to live it. It is so easy to study and then walk out the door unaffected. I will not be surprised if in the end, I'm not known by God. This is why it is so important for us to "encourage and uplift others" and ourselves. Help us work on/build an attitude of gratitude minute by minute. Doing so, helps both the recipient and the giver remember there is a God.
Please pray for those of us who find find negativity, natural.
Thank you.
Thank you for speaking out so openly of your inner struggles. I am sad to say that you are not alone. I am right there with you.
I have learned though that one thing I must change within myself is my focus. When I look upward instead of inward I find that God is more successful at molding me and creating a new, beautiful, useful vessel.
Slowly, oh, so very slowly, looking toward my heavenly Father and Savior is changing my attitude-my negativity. He's giving me a heart of praise.