Articles
James 5 and Patience
James 5 and Patience
In reading the fifth chapter of James, I highlighted his use of patience: be patient (7), being patient (7), be patient (8), patience (10), steadfast (11), steadfastness (11).
This emphasis began in chapter 1: "let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing" (vs. 4). He continued: "Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him” (1:12).
Having discussed trial after trial that would come to those who would follow Jesus, James now returns to the ongoing response to ALL such trials: patience and steadfastness.
It was pointed out in the Life Application Commentary on James: "But the patience he describes is not passive. It is a patience that involves action:
• Firm perseverance in the face of trials
• Loving and caring for one another in the church
• Refusing to criticize or grumble against other believers
• Praying for the sick
• Confessing sin
• Bringing back any who wander from the faith"
This patience is a continued doing of what is right even in the face of extreme adversity and opposition. We are not to be stopped. Not even threats, persecution, or martyrdom of our friends will cause us to quit serving our Lord.
Longsuffering and steadfast, not just 'for a while', but to the end; until the Lord comes as promised. For over 2000 years, generation after generation, disciples have had to show such patience toward trials. Now it is our turn.
James sets forth examples of patience for us. These include the farmer who 'waits' for the latter rain, the prophets who suffered for the LORD, and Job.
Farmers don't spend the summer in the living room eating potato chips and watching TV. They labor thru the summer months; tending to the crop, preparing their implements and animals, maintaining their buildings. They do this in anticipation of the harvest that will come from the later rains. This is patience and steadfastness.
The prophets preached, preached, and preached. They preached even though the people would not hear. They preached when persecuted. Such is patience and steadfastness.
One thing that James does stress that saints must do all the days of their patient waiting is to PRAY. He writes of this some seven times: pray (13), Pray (14), prayer of faith (15), pray (16), prayer of a righteous man (16), prayed fervently (17), and prayed again (18).
With our complete trust that God will do what He has promised, and our constant prayer unto Him, we will be faithful until the End. Even so, Lord come quickly.
Hugh DeLong
