1 Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you.
2 Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes.
3 Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days.
4 Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.
5 You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.
6 You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you.
James 5:1-6
Dearly Beloved,
Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ!
Injustice.
How has it affected you?
Though our experiences with injustice are inherently different, we all share a common cry that expresses the yearnings of our souls – the cry for justice.
We have been hurt, grieved and shamed. Our cry seeks to address the wrongs and make things right again.
We crave to seek justice, to seek redress, and to expose the sins of our oppressors.
But can we really do anything to reverse the effects of injustice upon our lives?
Can we really restore that which was taken unfairly from us?
Unless we can turn back time, injustice can never be fully reversed.
Words can never be unspoken, actions cannot be undone, the pain can never be ‘un-pained’, and the hurting can never be ‘un-hurt’.
In reality, because of our fallen nature and sinfulness, any attempts on Man’s part to reverse injustice is fated to compound the grievance, and contribute to the very perpetuation of injustice.
We will never be able to solve our mess of universal, systemic injustice on our own - not when we are the continued and persistent cause of the problem.
In this passage, James speaks not only to essence of injustice, but to the utter futility of Man’s efforts of righting injustice – that the harvesters are left with no more actions for recourse, but only in resorting to the final desperate act of ‘crying out’ to God in utter despair and uncertain faith.
But such cries - such prayers - are more than a form of recourse, or a resort; it is our God-given opportunity to respond to the systemic transgressions of the world in drawing near to God, consecrating ourselves, and committing our lives and circumstances to Him. (Ref: James 4:8-10)
We are broken. The world is broken. We need Christ. That is the reality.
And in this reality, something divine is happening in our ongoing transgressions against one another.
God knows all the injustice, and the cries of the oppressed have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.
Nothing escapes our Lord. He hears the cry of the oppressed, and the cry of every earthly article used in the wicked commission of injustice.
Nothing escapes our Lord; and He does not let anything escape Him.
Our God is compelled to uphold His brand of justice –for He is God, and He is Just. His Justice is imminent. ultimate, true and eternal.
Part of the Apostle’s Creed affirms this reality regarding our Lord Jesus Christ –
“He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.”
Every human cry reaches Him.
Even lifeless implements employed in the commission of wickedness calls out to Him.
This shouldn’t seem strange to us. Remember Abel’s blood that cried out to the Lord? (Genesis 4:10) And the stones that Jesus said will cry out in the declaration of His Lordship? (Luke 19:10) Our God is the Creator of the Heavens and the earth. All Creation is compelled to proclaim Him – as are we; especially as are we.
In prophetic certainty, James reveals the reality of God’s judgment upon the ‘rich people’ – the oppressors, the practitioners and perpetuators of injustice:
Do you believe that God’s judgment IS reality?
Do you trust God? Do you trust there is a God?
Brethren, never be ‘iffy’ about this reality; for any degree of uncertainty regarding this eventual judgment reality speaks directly to how much you believe in God’s existence and His love for you.
Are you prepared to be judged?
How do you want to be judged?
Here is another aspect of Christ’s eventual judgment reality.
In this passage, James pronounced God’s judgment on the ‘rich people’ who oppressed the harvesters.
What are the sins of these ‘rich people’?
You may think to yourself, “Thankfully, this is not me….I am not rich… and even if I am, I do not behave like that.”
Are you categorically sure about that? Even if you are not ‘rich’, are you certain that you have not sinned in the same vein?
Let’s be clear.
Beneath their wealth and methods of accumulating wealth lies a fundamentally wicked mentality of these ‘rich’ oppressors. And if we fail to understand this passage beneath the surface, we will be judged accordingly.
What is this fundamentally wicked mentality of the ‘rich’?
It is the arrogance that utterly disregards God and the ultimate judgment in which we must all one day face.
Consider now this possibility as you reflect upon your own lives.
Have you unconsciously become one of the ‘rich’?
The ‘rich’ were Wealth Hoarders (v2) – Have you failed to steward your gifts, resources and finances; and instead have hoarded it for your own selfish purposes?
Failure to pay wages (v4) – Have you failed to recognize the dues of the people around you? Especially those who have contributed to your own well-being?
Condemners and murderers of the innocent (v6) – Who is God to you? Do you recognize His love and sovereignty over Your life? In every act and deed, are you cognizant that God will call your every act and deed into account? Have you pushed God out of your life altogether in a show of utter disregard for His love and purposes for you?
Have you unconsciously become one of the ‘rich’?
Have you “lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence” forgetting God and His purposes for you?
If you have, you have indeed “fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter” – in short, eternal punishment awaits you.
Nothing escapes the Lord. When we are judged, we will be judged in our deeds both as oppressors and the oppressed.
And this reality remains:
Our Lord Jesus Christ will come to judge the living and the dead.
Are you prepared?
The Apostle Paul leaves us with this thought as we contemplate a Christian response to injustice;
“18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Romans 12:18-20
Leave room for God’s wrath. Come near to God, consecrate yourself, and commit your circumstances to Him. Let go, and let God.
The writer of Hebrews informs us
5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
6 So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”
Hebrews 13:5-6
Such is the God who promises to never leave us, nor forsake us; to always be our helper.
Such is the God who has chosen us to be His own through divine revelation of His presence, purpose and power.
Such is the God whom we worship and serve.
Are we truly worthy of this God?
And so, it comes back to the timeless question.
Do you trust God?
Do you trust His promises? Do you trust and “know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
Don’t attempt to apply logic, rationality, nor our puny human wisdom to the Word of God. I am not asking if you understand what is being written, or if you can wrap your head around this – I am simply asking, “Do you believe?”
Because regardless what we believe, the Lord Jesus’ Judgment over all of humanity – past, present, and future – is certain, coming, personal and permanent.
It is going to happen eventually.
Are you prepared for this eventuality?
Christ tells the parable of ‘the Sheep and the goats’ precisely to teach His disciples to prepare for the Day of Judgment, and in doing so, unequivocally illuminates us as to the stark outcomes of His judgment.
There are just two outcomes. There is no middle road. Pay attention.
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
(Matthew 25:37-40, 46)
We are either judged as ‘righteous’ or as ‘unrighteous’.
We either go away to eternal life, or to eternal punishment.
The Lord lays it out clearly for us.
What destiny would you choose for yourself?
How should you now live?
Are you prepared?
Shalom.
Let us pray.
Our Father in Heaven,
Hallowed be Your Name.
Your Kingdom come, Your Will be done; on earth, as it is in heaven.
Indeed, I will one day appear before the Judgment seat of Christ, that I may be recompensed for my deeds in the body, according to what I have done, whether good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10)
Holy Spirit, I ask that my heart be fully opened and receptive to Your guidance and leading, in order that I may prepare my life for that eventuality – the return of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
May I never be found in the company and deeds of the wicked and the oppressor.
May I ever be conscious of my every thought, action and deed, that I may always be ready to extend Your love and care to the least of Your brothers and sisters.
Keep my heart, O Lord, and search me – that I may never become self-indulgent, forgetting Your love and divine purposes for me. Grant me the courage and wisdom to share this reality to all around me; and to give hope to those who are experiencing injustice.
May my life be a beacon of Your Hope and Destiny for all mankind.
May I live in constant reminder that nothing escapes You, O Lord.
Please prepare my heart for the day when I come face to face with You, Lord Jesus.
For on that day, I long to be judged as ‘righteous’.
On that day, I long to enter into Your eternity.
On that day, I long to hear You say to me, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' (Matthew 25:21)
I thank you and pray all these in the Name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.
2 Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes.
3 Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days.
4 Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.
5 You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.
6 You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you.
James 5:1-6
Dearly Beloved,
Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ!
Injustice.
How has it affected you?
Though our experiences with injustice are inherently different, we all share a common cry that expresses the yearnings of our souls – the cry for justice.
We have been hurt, grieved and shamed. Our cry seeks to address the wrongs and make things right again.
We crave to seek justice, to seek redress, and to expose the sins of our oppressors.
But can we really do anything to reverse the effects of injustice upon our lives?
Can we really restore that which was taken unfairly from us?
Unless we can turn back time, injustice can never be fully reversed.
Words can never be unspoken, actions cannot be undone, the pain can never be ‘un-pained’, and the hurting can never be ‘un-hurt’.
In reality, because of our fallen nature and sinfulness, any attempts on Man’s part to reverse injustice is fated to compound the grievance, and contribute to the very perpetuation of injustice.
We will never be able to solve our mess of universal, systemic injustice on our own - not when we are the continued and persistent cause of the problem.
In this passage, James speaks not only to essence of injustice, but to the utter futility of Man’s efforts of righting injustice – that the harvesters are left with no more actions for recourse, but only in resorting to the final desperate act of ‘crying out’ to God in utter despair and uncertain faith.
But such cries - such prayers - are more than a form of recourse, or a resort; it is our God-given opportunity to respond to the systemic transgressions of the world in drawing near to God, consecrating ourselves, and committing our lives and circumstances to Him. (Ref: James 4:8-10)
We are broken. The world is broken. We need Christ. That is the reality.
And in this reality, something divine is happening in our ongoing transgressions against one another.
God knows all the injustice, and the cries of the oppressed have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.
Nothing escapes our Lord. He hears the cry of the oppressed, and the cry of every earthly article used in the wicked commission of injustice.
Nothing escapes our Lord; and He does not let anything escape Him.
Our God is compelled to uphold His brand of justice –for He is God, and He is Just. His Justice is imminent. ultimate, true and eternal.
Part of the Apostle’s Creed affirms this reality regarding our Lord Jesus Christ –
“He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.”
Every human cry reaches Him.
Even lifeless implements employed in the commission of wickedness calls out to Him.
This shouldn’t seem strange to us. Remember Abel’s blood that cried out to the Lord? (Genesis 4:10) And the stones that Jesus said will cry out in the declaration of His Lordship? (Luke 19:10) Our God is the Creator of the Heavens and the earth. All Creation is compelled to proclaim Him – as are we; especially as are we.
In prophetic certainty, James reveals the reality of God’s judgment upon the ‘rich people’ – the oppressors, the practitioners and perpetuators of injustice:
- God’s Judgment is Certain (v1)
- God’s Judgment is Coming (v1)
- God’s Judgment is Personal (v3)
- God’s Judgment is Permanent (v5)
Do you believe that God’s judgment IS reality?
Do you trust God? Do you trust there is a God?
Brethren, never be ‘iffy’ about this reality; for any degree of uncertainty regarding this eventual judgment reality speaks directly to how much you believe in God’s existence and His love for you.
Are you prepared to be judged?
How do you want to be judged?
Here is another aspect of Christ’s eventual judgment reality.
In this passage, James pronounced God’s judgment on the ‘rich people’ who oppressed the harvesters.
What are the sins of these ‘rich people’?
- They are ‘wealth hoarders’ (v2)
- They have unjustly failed to pay due wages (v4)
- They have become condemners and murderers of the innocent (v6)
You may think to yourself, “Thankfully, this is not me….I am not rich… and even if I am, I do not behave like that.”
Are you categorically sure about that? Even if you are not ‘rich’, are you certain that you have not sinned in the same vein?
Let’s be clear.
Beneath their wealth and methods of accumulating wealth lies a fundamentally wicked mentality of these ‘rich’ oppressors. And if we fail to understand this passage beneath the surface, we will be judged accordingly.
What is this fundamentally wicked mentality of the ‘rich’?
It is the arrogance that utterly disregards God and the ultimate judgment in which we must all one day face.
Consider now this possibility as you reflect upon your own lives.
Have you unconsciously become one of the ‘rich’?
The ‘rich’ were Wealth Hoarders (v2) – Have you failed to steward your gifts, resources and finances; and instead have hoarded it for your own selfish purposes?
Failure to pay wages (v4) – Have you failed to recognize the dues of the people around you? Especially those who have contributed to your own well-being?
Condemners and murderers of the innocent (v6) – Who is God to you? Do you recognize His love and sovereignty over Your life? In every act and deed, are you cognizant that God will call your every act and deed into account? Have you pushed God out of your life altogether in a show of utter disregard for His love and purposes for you?
Have you unconsciously become one of the ‘rich’?
Have you “lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence” forgetting God and His purposes for you?
If you have, you have indeed “fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter” – in short, eternal punishment awaits you.
Nothing escapes the Lord. When we are judged, we will be judged in our deeds both as oppressors and the oppressed.
And this reality remains:
Our Lord Jesus Christ will come to judge the living and the dead.
Are you prepared?
The Apostle Paul leaves us with this thought as we contemplate a Christian response to injustice;
“18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Romans 12:18-20
Leave room for God’s wrath. Come near to God, consecrate yourself, and commit your circumstances to Him. Let go, and let God.
The writer of Hebrews informs us
5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
6 So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”
Hebrews 13:5-6
Such is the God who promises to never leave us, nor forsake us; to always be our helper.
Such is the God who has chosen us to be His own through divine revelation of His presence, purpose and power.
Such is the God whom we worship and serve.
Are we truly worthy of this God?
And so, it comes back to the timeless question.
Do you trust God?
Do you trust His promises? Do you trust and “know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
Don’t attempt to apply logic, rationality, nor our puny human wisdom to the Word of God. I am not asking if you understand what is being written, or if you can wrap your head around this – I am simply asking, “Do you believe?”
Because regardless what we believe, the Lord Jesus’ Judgment over all of humanity – past, present, and future – is certain, coming, personal and permanent.
It is going to happen eventually.
Are you prepared for this eventuality?
Christ tells the parable of ‘the Sheep and the goats’ precisely to teach His disciples to prepare for the Day of Judgment, and in doing so, unequivocally illuminates us as to the stark outcomes of His judgment.
There are just two outcomes. There is no middle road. Pay attention.
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
(Matthew 25:37-40, 46)
We are either judged as ‘righteous’ or as ‘unrighteous’.
We either go away to eternal life, or to eternal punishment.
The Lord lays it out clearly for us.
What destiny would you choose for yourself?
How should you now live?
Are you prepared?
Shalom.
Let us pray.
Our Father in Heaven,
Hallowed be Your Name.
Your Kingdom come, Your Will be done; on earth, as it is in heaven.
Indeed, I will one day appear before the Judgment seat of Christ, that I may be recompensed for my deeds in the body, according to what I have done, whether good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10)
Holy Spirit, I ask that my heart be fully opened and receptive to Your guidance and leading, in order that I may prepare my life for that eventuality – the return of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
May I never be found in the company and deeds of the wicked and the oppressor.
May I ever be conscious of my every thought, action and deed, that I may always be ready to extend Your love and care to the least of Your brothers and sisters.
Keep my heart, O Lord, and search me – that I may never become self-indulgent, forgetting Your love and divine purposes for me. Grant me the courage and wisdom to share this reality to all around me; and to give hope to those who are experiencing injustice.
May my life be a beacon of Your Hope and Destiny for all mankind.
May I live in constant reminder that nothing escapes You, O Lord.
Please prepare my heart for the day when I come face to face with You, Lord Jesus.
For on that day, I long to be judged as ‘righteous’.
On that day, I long to enter into Your eternity.
On that day, I long to hear You say to me, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' (Matthew 25:21)
I thank you and pray all these in the Name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.