LESSON #13

Patience Please!

James 5:7-12

This we know: Jesus is coming again! This text speaks of "the coming of the Lord" (v. 7). This we believe: Jesus is coming soon. Verse 8 says that "the coming of the Lord draweth nigh." In fact, verse 9 says that "the judge stands in front of the door!" Phil. 4:5 "The Lord is at hand." Christians have been living in expectation of the return of Christ since His ascension (see Acts 1:10-11). Jesus promised that He would come back for us (see John 14:2d-3) and we are waiting for it to happen. According to Titus 2:13 we are "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ." 1 Cor. 1:7 says that we are "Waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." According to Phil. 3:20 " Our conversation (meaning citizenship) is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ." And 1 Th. 1:10 says that we "wait for his Son from heaven." When Jesus comes, He will set things straight and make things right!

But what are we to do until then? We are to "be patient" (v.7) and "be ye also patient" (v. 8). In fact, James speaks of patience five times in this text (twice in v. 7, once in v.8.10,11). Verse 7 speaks of "waiting" and verse 11 speaks of "enduring." What is meant by the idea of patience expressed in this passage? It is not just giving in and resigning to whatever happens. It means having endurance in relation to the circumstances of life, having longsuffering in relation to people, having steadfastness. James is saying, "Things are not going to be easy but be patient, be steadfast because Jesus is coming back soon!"

Patience is more than a virtue; it is a necessity! Patience is needed in every area of life - driving down the highway, waiting in line at the store, building a new church, having a marriage partner, raising children. Whether we are at work, at school, at home, at the mall, or at church we need patience. We need patience in our relationships with people. We also need patience in our relationship with God, see James 1:2. Sometimes we are in a hurry but God isn't!

We have a need: patience. We have a problem: impatience. This problem is often evidenced in our spirit, v. 9a. We hold grudges one against another; we grumble and judge each other because we are impatient with people. Our impatience is also manifest in our speech, v. 12. When we are in the midst of a trial, it is easy to show our impatience by saying things that we don't mean, even "swearing", trying to make bargains with God. A Christian should not have to swear. His "yes" should mean yes and his "no" should mean no! Our impatience is also evidenced by our strength, or lack of it. In verse 8, James admonishes his readers to "stablish (strengthen) your hearts." We grow weary and weak and want to quit. James says, "Be patient! Don't quit! Be steadfast! Jesus is coming soon!"

In the text for this study, James lists three examples of patience for us to follow. Each of these examples has a lesson on how patience will be manifest.

The Patience Of A Farmer, 5:7.

An impatient person could not be a successful farmer. No crop appears overnight. No human can control the weather, the temperature, the amount of moisture. The Jewish farmer planted his grain in the fall. The "early rain" softened the ground. The "latter rain" which came in February or March brought the fruit which James referred to as "precious." A farmer must have patience to work while he waits. So must a Christian! We do not just sit down and wait for Jesus to return. We are to be busy working, planting the word of God in the hearts of men, while we wait. When it comes to producing eternal fruit (see Proverbs 11:30 - souls), we do what we can and God does what we can't!

The Patience Of The Prophets, 5:10.

A prophet is one who comes to the people on behalf of God. It is his ministry and duty to "speak the word of the Lord." Throughout the Old Testament, those faithful men who spoke God's word were rejected, hated and even killed before their prophecies were fulfilled. They are "an example of suffering affliction and of patience." The prophets suffered while they served. Their faith in the Lord remained strong in spite of severe opposition. Even those who have a special task like speaking the word of the Lord, are not exempt from problems and persecutions. Patience endures suffering.

The Patience Of Job, 5:11.

The Old Testament man Job demonstrated great patience. The Bible tells us of Job's distress, Job 1-2. Job lost his wealth, his family and his health. He never knew what was going on behind the scenes in heaven. Even so, he faced his problems realistically. He kept on believing in God. The Bible also tells us of Job's defense, Job 3-41. Everything seemed to be against Job - circumstances, his wife, his friends. It seemed that even God was against him. But finally, the Bible tells us of Job's deliverance, Job 42. First, he was humbled by the Lord. Finally, he was honored by the Lord. James tells us that the great lesson from Job concerns "the end of the Lord, that he is very pitiful and of tender mercy." Job was patient to wait and trust God to take care of things and in the end God did! Job's patience endured to the end.

Jesus is coming again! Do you believe that? Well, then, don't quit! Be patient! Be patient like the farmer who works while he waits. Be patient like the prophet who suffers while he serves. Be patient like Job who counted on God to set things right in the end. Be patient!

Patience is indeed a mark of spiritual maturity. One of the works by which we show our faith is work of having patience.