Living Out Our Faith Patiently - James 5:7-11
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Introduction
Introduction
Here we are once again in James. This evening brings us to a new section in this last chapter. We just finished with verses 1-6. As we studied those verses, we found the Holy Spirit’s admonition to wealthy believers. As we move into this section, we see the chapter’s primary focus. It is also our title for the chapter Living Out Our Faith Patiently.
Read with me verses 7-11.
7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.
10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.
11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
You will note right from the beginning the Holy Spirit names patience. In fact, He commands that we “Be patient.”
If you do a deep dive into the word “patient,” you will find that in Greek, it means “to be long-tempered” or, as we might say, “longsuffering.” It is important to note that longsuffering and patience are similar in purpose. For example, both have the idea of persevering through difficult circumstances. However, there are also some notable differences.
Longsuffering is the quality of self-restraint when provoked by something or someone.
Someone who is longsuffering will not hastily retaliate or overreact. It is the opposite of anger, especially the kind of anger that flashes quickly when harassed. Mercy and longsuffering are often associated with one another in Scripture. Another unique quality about longsuffering is this. It is a term used of God.
6 And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,
4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
On the other hand, patience is the quality of not surrendering to circumstances or succumbing to a difficult trial.
You will often find patience and hope associated with each other in Scripture. The interesting thing about patience is we do not find used of God. Instead, patience is always directed at us as believers. It is the opposite of despondency.
3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;
Now, I say all that so that we might adequately understand patience as related to us in Scripture. Here in our text, the Greek word for patience incorporates some aspect of both longsuffering and patience.
Consequently, the Holy Spirit is commanding that we be patient. We must exhibit longsuffering when faced with opposition from other people, and we must also show patience as we do not give up during difficult circumstances.
All ties in with chapter 1. Remember when we started this journey in chapter 1, the Holy Spirit began by teaching us about trials.
1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
So here we are at the end of this remarkable book, and the Holy Spirit brings us back to patience. The thing is, we are going to face trials. They come every day and, on certain days, multiple times a day. As each test comes, we must “count” them as “all joy.” We are to rejoice, for each trial is a learning opportunity. They are times for us to learn to trust God. As we do, our faith in Him grows, and we understand how to endure difficult times without retaliation or giving up. That is especially important for us as believers today. The world is exponentially increasing in wickedness and evil. As it does, the trials and afflictions of the Christian life will also increase. However, we must maintain our testimony for the Lord.
As we move through this section and the next, verses 12-20, the Holy Spirit lays out a 2 step process in combating the trials and temptations this life throws in our way. Verses 7-11 give us the first step, and, as you probably already guessed, it involves patience.
Let’s begin with verse 7.
7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
Be Patient, Knowing the Lord is Coming
Be Patient, Knowing the Lord is Coming
There is no doubt that Christ promised to return for His own.
1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
In Matthew 16, He promised He would return and reward us for our work.
27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
In Matthew 25, He promised He would come again, and He would separate the sheep (believers) from the goats (unbelievers).
31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
In 2 Timothy, the Holy Spirit promises Christ will come again to judge both the living and the dead.
1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
In Jude, the Holy Spirit promises Christ will come again to execute judgment on the ungodly.
14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,
15 to execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.
In 2 Corinthians, the Holy Spirit promises Christ will come again, and we will appear before His judgment seat.
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
And, then, we know the promise of 1 Thessalonians 4 which states:
13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
These are just a few of the many passages in God’s Word teaching and promising that Christ will return. He will return in the sky to rapture out His people, and then He will return to earth to defeat His enemies ushering in His millennial reign. However, until that time, we are to:
Occupy until He comes;
13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.
Not to fall behind in our service to Him;
7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:
Live holy lives;
14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:
Deny ungodliness and worldly lust; and
12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Not to live ashamed.
28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
That is a tall order, especially knowing that we will face many trials and temptations. However, with the Holy Spirit’s help, we can be patient as we endure. Yes, our flesh, this world, and Satan may do everything they can to trip us up and cause us to fall. Yet, God expects us to patiently combat their enslaving power, not allowing a spirit of defeat and discouragement to overwhelm us. Instead, we must encourage ourselves and fellow believers with the promise of Christ’s return. It is why we are told in 1 Thessalonians to “comfort one another with these words.” Christ is coming. The sound of the trumpet and the shout from Heaven is imminent. Praise the Lord!
However, another aspect of the Lord’s return should cause all of us to pause. With His coming also comes an accountability day. A thought that should arrest our attention and ask, “Have I done my best for Him?” I genuinely believe that no sincere follower of Christ wants to disappoint Him on that day. Thus, we must learn to endure trials and temptations as we trust Him and the promises of His word. Each time we do, our faith grows, and patience works it works.
Here are a couple of things to consider about spiritual patience.
First, spiritual patience is not passive acceptance.
First, spiritual patience is not passive acceptance.
In other words, spiritual patience does not just lay back and accept trials/temptations as a way of life, doing nothing about them. That is spiritual laziness. No, spiritual patience fights back. It fights to confront each trial and temptation with a determination to obey God. The believer who patiently fights using obedience and faith in God is promised victory.
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Second, spiritual patience is one of the Holy Spirit’s many fruits.
Second, spiritual patience is one of the Holy Spirit’s many fruits.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
The believer who seeks to obey God’s Word is a believer who allows the Holy Spirit to control their life. As they do, the Holy Spirit arouses within them the urge to stand up to whatever trial or temptation they face. Please note is the Holy Spirit who stirs that urge. As He does, we must respond to His urging by persevering through faith and obedience. I keep using the terms faith and obedience. Why is that? It is our duty. We must believe Him, His Word, and His promises. As we believe, we must do what He says.
21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
Did you see the order of actions there? Lay aside our knee-jerk reactions driven by our sinful flesh. Submissively receive God’s Word. Do it. Obey it. God’s plan for daily living is laid out in those two verses. A plan that works in conjunction with our text. For as we set aside self, submit to God’s Word, and obey it, patience has her perfect work. It is then that we can stand fast or suffer long. Only then can we not succumb to the temptation and discouragement of a difficult trial. Instead, through God’s Spirit, we can fight, persevere, and endure whatever comes our way. We keep our eyes fixed on the thought that Christ is coming and coming soon.
Be Patient, for His Coming is Very Near
Be Patient, for His Coming is Very Near
Look again at verse 7 of our text. James 5:7
7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
Note the second half of the verse. We see the Holy Spirit gives us the example of a farmer. A husbandman is a farmer. The farmer, of course, plants the seed and patiently waits for it to germinate. In fact, the Holy Spirit notes explicitly how the farmer watches for the spring and autumn rains. He knows that rains are a sign of a great and precious harvest. The word “precious” means something that is costly and expensive. It is an item of great value. Farmers are a great example of patience. Waiting for a seed to germinate, grow, and produce fruit takes patience. There is much to endure during the growing season. Some weeds must be pulled, some bugs must be exterminated, and weather events must be overcome. Yet, no matter what comes, a farmer endures. He plods away day after day, tending to his crops. As he does, he savors the great harvest that is coming.
What an example for us as believers!
Let’s continue with this thought as we read verses 8 and 9.
8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.
The Holy Spirit now applies patience to us. He once again instructs us to be patient. He then gives us two very important thoughts about patience and endurance. Remember, we are to have the same patience as a farmer. Here are two things we must do.
We must ESTABLISH our hearts.
We must ESTABLISH our hearts.
The word “establish” means to set upon, to fix upon, or to make fast. Our duty as we wait for the Lord’s return is to set our hearts on His return. We must grab that great promise with our hearts and never let go. Note that His coming “draweth nigh.” It is just around the corner. Each time I read that passage, I cannot help but think of the following. If it was nigh for James as he penned these words, it must be near for us. The thought of Christ’s imminent return should spur us to endure as we wait for His return. It should cause within us the same expectation as the farmer. There is a time of great harvest ahead. We have much to look forward to as He returns. For now, we must patiently endure no matter the situation, and as we endure, we will gain victory no matter how bad things become as we wait.
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
Here is the second thing. Look again at verse 9.
9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.
We must not GRUDGE one another.
We must not GRUDGE one another.
One of our biggest problems is others. Our biggest problem is our refusal to love others as Christ loves them. We get so caught up in personal drama with those close to us that we ruin those relationships. Instead of loving and forgiving, we complain, murmur, and judge others and their motivations. Repeatedly, in the New Testament, Christ and the Holy Spirit instruct us to love others even as we love ourselves. Yet, frequently, we disobey that command.
Here is a thought! It is often our closest relationships that generate our most difficult trials. Incredibly, we have difficulty with those we love the most. And, yet, those trials can be handled Biblically. When we do things God’s way, the problems are much easier to endure, even when it involves our loved ones.
Look again at verse 9.
9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.
When we are not obedient to God’s Words in our relationship with others, we open the door to God’s judgment. Did you see that the Holy Spirit said we would “be condemned?” In other words, we place ourselves where God must judge us. Why? We are not living by faith and obedience to His Word and are not patient in trusting Him. So, He stands then as “a judge,” standing outside the door, ready to enter His chambers to pronounce judgment on us.
14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
Be Patient, Even During Times of Affliction
Be Patient, Even During Times of Affliction
10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.
In this verse, the Holy Spirit takes us back to the Old Testament, and, specifically, to the prophets. Without a doubt, many of the prophets suffered great affliction. In fact, throughout history, many have suffered for standing faithfully upon God’s Word. Thus, the Holy Spirit says to us, “Look at the prophets. Look at those who have gone before you, for in the grand scheme of things, men and women have believed My Word, put their hope in Me, and faithfully bore witness of Me. In doing so, they face many different kinds of trials and afflictions. They did so patiently as they endured remaining strong in this great spiritual battle. Look to them, and follow their example.”
Hebrews says...
36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
I am reminded of 1 Corinthians 10:13
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
The first part of that verse speaks to the truth we are not in this alone. As our text reminds us, there are many who have face some of the same trails and temptations that we do. In fact, many of them faced great trials and afflictions that we. Yet, they stood fast by holding onto their faith in God. Additionally, the stood strong AGAINST the trials they endured. Their motto being “Never Give Up. Never Quit. Always Trusting the Promises of God.”
It is the same message the Holy Spirit challenges us to do today. Be long suffering. Show great self-restraint when others oppose you. Be patient. Don’t quit when the journey is hard and the situation seems dire.
20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
Be Patient, For In the End, You Will See the Lord of Compassion and Mercy
Be Patient, For In the End, You Will See the Lord of Compassion and Mercy
11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
In the last verse, the Holy Spirit directed our attention to a whole host of people. Now, in this verse, He gives us one man as our example. This man is, as we know, Job.
Job’s story is a great story. For those who might not be familiar with it, let me give it to you in a nutshell.
Job was a wealthy and blessed man. He had a ton of domestic animals from camels to sheep. God blessed him with a huge family of children. The reason God blessed Job so wonderfully was due to Job’s faith in God. All of which caught the attention of Satan. One day, Satan stood before God and God bragged on Job. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to know that God was bragging about you to Satan? Listen to what God said about Job.
8 And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?
Of which, Satan challenged God about Job’s faith. Essentially, Satan suggested that if God were to remove His hand of blessing on Job that Job, in turn, would curse God. God had such confidence in Job that He allowed Satan to bring affliction upon Job. If you know the story, you know that Job lost all his wealth, all of his children died horrifically, and, in time, Job was covered from head to toe in painful sores. Things were so bad that even his wife suggested that Job curse God and die. I haven’t even mentioned the his wonderful three friends who were no friends at all. No man has suffered more than Job. He lost everything including his health. No one stood with him. Instead, all suggested he was at fault must atone for sins or he should just curse God and give up. What did Job do? He never gave up. He showed great self-restraint in answering his wife and his friends. He was the example of patience. He never forsook his faith in God. God was pleased. Note some things Job said during his great affliction.
15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: But I will maintain mine own ways before him.
19 Also now, behold, my witness is in heaven, And my record is on high.
25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, And that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
What do we learn from all these statements by Job? He kept his eyes fixed upon the Lord. He maintained great hope in the Lord. He knew God was faithful and would make a way of escape. As Job remained faithful, the end of his affliction came to an end. God counted Job faithful and blessed with twice what Job possessed for the trial began.
Here is the main lesson to learn from verse 5 and Job’s example.
We can PATIENTLY endure any and all afflictions by keeping our focus on Christ.
Job did. Others have also. We can as well. When we do, we learn much about His compassion and mercy. Yes, the trials can be great. At times, it would seem that they will overwhelm us. However, we can lean upon the Lord Jesus Christ to see us through. He will deliver us.
22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
Conclusion
Conclusion
Patience and longsuffering are traits each believer must develop in their lives. We can show self-restraint when faced with difficult people who provoke us.
How do we do it? How is a believer patient? Additionally, we can endure difficult trials without quitting and giving up. We learn patience through faithful obedience to God’s Word. As we obey, we set aside our desires/impulses and allow the Holy Spirit to reign. He then helps us to endure. His fruit becomes evident in our lives. One of those fruits is longsuffering or patience. Can a believer be patient? Yes, they can. We can patiently endure as we set our hearts on this real promise. Christ is coming again!