Bridegroom or Judge?

Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.

James 5:9

Sandwiched between encouragements to be patient, for Christ is returning, remembering how Old Testament prophets patiently proclaimed God’s Word amidst suffering, the church is issued this command not to “groan” against each other. It is a timely reminder that when pressures of persecution increase outside the church, Christians may be tempted to take it out on each other inside the church. We are losing when persecution turns us into a bickering Bride. We are to remain faithful, waiting for the coming of Jesus our Bridegroom for us. We were meant to experience joy together enduring the uncertainty and anxiety of this waiting time. If we fail and turn against each other, the joy of the groom’s arrival is replaced by the stern face of the Judge standing at the door.

Church fights are an ugly sign of disobedience and impatience. They show us at our worst, not at our best. They are bitter hearts in conflict when we should instead all together have better hearts gathered in anticipation of our Lord’s coming for us. God is compassionate and merciful even as our culture is not that way toward Christ’s church. Jesus wants to love His people, not discipline them for petty grumbling against one another.

Lord,

In these difficult days we feel the pressure of a world that hates You and rejects the love of God in Christ when the gospel is preached. Our world frankly exalts complaints and opinion-based conflicts as nearly a virtue. Keep us from adopting this sinful mindset! Help Your church to reject grumbling against one another. Keep us on task with the gospel, preaching it to one another and the lost. Keep us loving one another, not fighting with impatience. Keep us adoring You, looking for the return of the Bridegroom and may we not face the Judge at our door!

Amen