THE LORD’S COMING IS NEAR

James 5:7-20 / Keywords 5:8

You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near.

 

5:7 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!

10 Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

12 Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned.

13 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

17 Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.

19 My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, 20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

 

1. As Christians, we should be patient. Why is patience such a virtue for Christians? Because this life is a life of waiting for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is coming. That is our sure hope. Just like the farmer, who, after he plants the seed in the ground, patiently waits for the rains that will make the crop grow, we must be patient and wait for his return. What can we do while we patiently wait? We stand firm in the word of the Lord (8), don’t grumble against our brother or sister (9), and persevere through our suffering that is inevitable in this life. We must, above all, refrain from making oaths. Our “yes” should always mean “yes”, and our “no” should always mean “no.”

 

2. We can also pray. This life is full of hardship and trouble, even for Christians. When we get into trouble, we should pray for guidance and help. When we are sick, we ask others to pray for us, for prayers offered in faith can make a sick person well. We also pray for those who are lost, that they might come back to the Lord.

 

Prayer Father, thank you that Jesus is coming again. Help me to be patient as I await your coming.

One Word The Lord’s coming is near!