26 May Recap | James | Patience

Suffering is a universal reality for all people. No one has the means to rise above suffering in their lifetime; for some, it is the defining aspect of their lives. Job said that “man is born to trouble.” So what is man to do with all of this trouble that he finds in his life?

James has an answer for man. In light of the great injustices that he discussed in 5:1-6, he encourages Christians, quite simply, to be patient. In the midst of the numerous other pieces of heavily practical direction that he offers to Christians, this one seems to stick out. It is too obvious to us – I know that, but what else can I do? – and doesn’t offer us any steps of action. However, the reality of suffering is that it will not be escaped or fixed fully, it will only be endured. So Christians are to be patient in endurance.

But we are not to be patient indefinitely. Patience for the sake of being patient is impossible; we can only be motivated to patience by looking forward to something that is worthy of patience. Christians look forward to something very definite: the coming of the Lord, and the ultimate vindication, healing, and judgment that He will bring.

James uses an agricultural illustration that informs how we are to be patient: “Consider the farmers who patiently wait.” A farmer’s patience is a powerfully active one; they aren’t idle as they wait for their harvest to ripen, but they work and prepare for it. Patience doesn’t have to be passive. Like the farmer, the Christian actively prepares for the day of the Lord’s return.<

Patience is vital for Christians as individuals, but also as a community. When we become impatient and hardened by our troubles, it is common to have strife and grumbling within the church. James admonishes the grumbling Christian, reminding us that Jesus, the Judge, is standing at the door. The fact that His coming is near should inform our relationships with others and inspire our patience toward them.

James points us to the Old Testament for examples of great patience. The prophets lived lives of incredible dedication to God and spent their lives working for His purposes. They remained steadfast despite the rampant idolatry of Israel all around them, and yet their lives were devoid of ease and comfort. Job knew even greater trouble than the prophets and remained faithful to God as well.

Looking at these examples adds another layer to our motivation for patience. Our patience comes from looking forward to the final coming of the Lord, but we can also be sure that His design for our suffering here and now is benevolent. His intention isn’t our destruction, but our sanctification. We will find greater life on the other side of our troubles in the long-suffering dependence that He means to bring us to.

How then are we to cope with the troubles of this world? What are we to do with all of this pain that we find within others and ourselves? The answer is not within us, or any fix that we will find in this world. We look away and ahead to the day of the Lord’s coming, and find patience as we hasten that day.

Application

• Impatient speech is worthy of judgment. The tongue can be the source of one’s condemnation. Are you a grumbler or complainer? Do you compromise your integrity with your speech?
• The hope of the Lord’s return strengthens our endurance, so we are to be patient and wait on the Lord. Is this a reality that you look to when you face trouble in life?
• Suffering is universal, but the correct response is not. If you are going through something unbearable, you must come to terms with the reality that you cannot control your situation – but you can control your own response to it.

-Brian Barbee

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Worship Songs from the Weekend

• Love Shines: 1 Corinthians 12:4-8, Matthew 27:45-46, 1 Corinthians 15:54-57, 1 John 4:8-9
• The Name of Jesus Christ: Philippians 2:6-11, Isaiah 45:22-23
• Set My Hope: Romans 8
• Sovereign Over Us: Genesis 50:20, Jeremiah 29:11, Isaiah 55:8-9, Romans 8:28
• Lamb of God: John 1:29, Hebrews 4:14-16, Romans 6:5-11
• The Greatness of Our God: Deuteronomy 32:1-3, Romans 8:38-39, Isaiah 40:26-31