193 James: Doing Right When Done Wrong

Do you know what it’s like to endure mistreatment? Whether because of your race, gender, age, position, or experience, someone in authority or power treated you in a way that was unjust, unfair, or uncalled for.

When that happens everything within you cries out for vindication or vengeance. That’s human nature. But Jesus shows a different way to respond when you’ve been done wrong.

The Apostle Peter wrote to people who were facing mistreatment. In 1 Peter 2, he says it’s one thing to bear up under punishment you deserve. It’s something else to endure mistreatment you don’t deserve. To do right when done wrong is commendable before God.

He then offers the example of Jesus that we might “follow in His steps.” Jesus did not retaliate when He suffered mistreatment. Instead, “He entrusted Himself to Him to judges justly.” (v. 23)

Forbearance when being mistreated is rooted in the unshakeable assurance that God is in control.

James picks up this theme in chapter 5. He says, “Be patient…until the Lord’s coming.” (v. 7)

This is the second time James calls us to patience. In 1:3-4, he uses the Greek word hupomone, which means “to patiently endure difficult circumstances.

Here in chapter 5, the word is macrothumeo. It speaks of “patiently enduring difficult people.” Other translations render this word as “longsuffering.”

Longsuffering is “self-restraint in the face of provocation which does not hastily retaliate.” It’s the opposite of anger and despondency and is associated with mercy and hope.

What is the hope that allows us to endure mistreatment? The hope that “the Judge is standing at the door.” (Jms. 5:9) Three times in these verses James reminds us that Jesus is coming again and this time it will be as King and Judge. In that day, all wrongs will be made right. 

But don’t forget. There is only one King…and you’re not Him. There’s only one Judge…and you're not Him. Only His timing is perfect and only His actions are just. When you try to even the score or make someone pay, all you ever do is cause more damage and disrupt the plans that He had.

So be prayerful and patient. “The Judge is standing at the door.” (v. 9)

Text: James 5:7-11 

Originally recorded on June 6, 2010, at Fellowship Missionary Church, Fort Wayne, IN