James 5:7 - 9 (The elephant in the room)

October 9, 2021 (Saturday)

Have you heard the expression “elephant in the room?” It’s an expression for something “obvious” that people are unwilling to talk about. In Christianity, the elephant in the room is that we are firmly grounded in this world, culture, and political events.

 

James reminds us, “Therefore, brothers and sisters, you must be patient as you wait for the coming of the Lord. Consider the farmer who waits patiently for the coming of rain in the fall and spring, looking forward to the precious fruit of the earth.” [James 5:7 CEB] Why do we get so wrapped up in this world? Why do we equate Christianity with being white? Why do we think people who disagree with our position are reprobate (cannot be saved)?

 

For the last two-ish years the world has suffered a pandemic. In America, we also suffered through a presidential election. The division is devastating. Here’s the point, the true believer will not get caught in the meat grinder because this world is not our home. Paul stated, “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” [Philippians 3:20 NIV] In Hebrews 13:14 we are reminded, “For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.” [NLT]

Someone has said, there are three virtues in life: patience, patience, and patience. Trouble is, patience is only developed and demonstrated under the stress of difficult circumstances and people (see James 1:3). James pushes patience, “You also must wait patiently, strengthening your resolve, because the coming of the Lord is near.” [James 5:8 CEB] It’s not easy to wait because many of us are oriented to the idea that to make progress we must be moving forward. Yet there is biblical value in waiting. Sometimes it is the only way to move forward, make progress, or understand a situation.

Notice, the hope the early church had was that Jesus’ return is imminent (about to happen). It has been about 2,000 years, where is Jesus' return? Peter answers that question, “Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. They will say, “What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again?” [2 Peter 3:3 – 4a NLT] The obvious way to understand this is there will be scoffers mocking the possibility of Jesus return. However, it is plausible to see this as mocking believers. Honestly, I think we deserve it when we are so earthly minded, we are of no spiritual use.

 

What’s the symptom of the elephant in the room? James claims, “Don’t complain about each other, brothers and sisters, so that you won’t be judged. Look! The judge is standing at the door!” [James 5:9 CEB] When we complain (displaying our unbelief… see Hebrews 3 and 4) about others we are judging (taking God’s place) and expose ourselves to judgement.

James notes, that Jesus is the judge. Let that sink in to your soul. Achieve what you can, what you want, what people expect but remember there is only one opinion about you that matters. How you (unaided by the Holy Spirit) think and feel about yourself is irrelevant to eternity. How others judge (praise or mock) you is irrelevant to eternity.

 

The elephant in the room is ignoring the eternal perspective and getting grounded to this world, culture, and political events. Next time you feel like you cannot breathe spiritually, ask yourself how connected you are to an eternal perspective. If not, chances are you are not very connected to Jesus.