How Soon is Soon?
Patience in Suffering
7 Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!
As James begins to wind down his letter to these early Christians who are being persecuted, he gives them some encouragement. He realizes that suffering isn't easy, but urges them to be patient. For anyone who has undergone suffering, those words aren't always easy to hear. But then James gives them a reason to be patient. He tells them The Lord is coming, and His return is near. While the suffering won't last forever, when Jesus returns they will receive the reward for their patience, as a farmer receives his crops after patiently waiting.
The question becomes, "how near is near?" Whenever the church faced heavy persecution, as they did in the first century, there is a sense that that Jesus is coming soon. Throughout history as the church has suffered for its faith, and believers have been martyred for standing firm in their confession, there has been a desire for Jesus' return. Whenever the soon comes it will be soon enough. When Jesus, the Judge returns, there will be a final judgment. For those who are standing firm, the reward will be eternal. For those who have rejected Jesus and his offer of salvation by grace, they will be separated from God forever. We don't like to think about this, but the bible is clear on this. God is merciful but also just. What someone sows they will reap.
But the Good News is, as we suffer, Jesus is with us. Jesus gives us the patience and the courage to stand firm under persecution, at whatever level we undergo. Where are you suffering today? Where is it so bad that you too wish for Jesus' return. How does the imminence of Jesus' return and judgment affect the way you see others who are far from Christ? I know it is a sobering thought for me. I find myself worried about so many other things that don't relate to the fact Jesus is coming soon! Be patient brothers and sisters as we know that "soon and very soon we are going to see the King!"
7 Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!
As James begins to wind down his letter to these early Christians who are being persecuted, he gives them some encouragement. He realizes that suffering isn't easy, but urges them to be patient. For anyone who has undergone suffering, those words aren't always easy to hear. But then James gives them a reason to be patient. He tells them The Lord is coming, and His return is near. While the suffering won't last forever, when Jesus returns they will receive the reward for their patience, as a farmer receives his crops after patiently waiting.
The question becomes, "how near is near?" Whenever the church faced heavy persecution, as they did in the first century, there is a sense that that Jesus is coming soon. Throughout history as the church has suffered for its faith, and believers have been martyred for standing firm in their confession, there has been a desire for Jesus' return. Whenever the soon comes it will be soon enough. When Jesus, the Judge returns, there will be a final judgment. For those who are standing firm, the reward will be eternal. For those who have rejected Jesus and his offer of salvation by grace, they will be separated from God forever. We don't like to think about this, but the bible is clear on this. God is merciful but also just. What someone sows they will reap.
But the Good News is, as we suffer, Jesus is with us. Jesus gives us the patience and the courage to stand firm under persecution, at whatever level we undergo. Where are you suffering today? Where is it so bad that you too wish for Jesus' return. How does the imminence of Jesus' return and judgment affect the way you see others who are far from Christ? I know it is a sobering thought for me. I find myself worried about so many other things that don't relate to the fact Jesus is coming soon! Be patient brothers and sisters as we know that "soon and very soon we are going to see the King!"
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