James 5:7-9

Christians Need To Be Patient

James urges the brethren to patiently endure just as the Lord did (James 5:7; Matthew 5:38-48). At the coming of the Lord, James urged his readers to remember, all will be rewarded according to their deeds (John 5:28-29). This should cause us to patiently endure what others do to us because the Lord will reward them. Also, it should cause us to patiently remain in service because the Lord will reward us.

The Christian's patience should be like that of the farmer in Israel who waited for the early rain to help the seed germinate and the latter rain to help it gain fullness before the harvest. Impatience will not speed the harvest, nor the coming of the Lord (Mark 4:28-29). So, James encourages them to stabilize their hearts and firmly set them to await the coming of the Lord. The Christian, knowing Christ's teachings on his second coming, should always think of the Lord's return as imminent (James 5:8; Matthew 24:36-44; Matthew 25:13).

With the great external pressure of persecution, it would have been natural to vent some frustration by grumbling and blaming others for their problems. James warned his Christian readers against such because blaming another would lead to condemnation. Instead, he told them to always be prepared for the judge's return by picturing Jesus at the door ready to enter. They would not want to be guilty of wrongful, or harsh judgment, knowing the judge was ready to come any time (James 5:9).