Of all of the fruits of the Spirit, patience is perhaps the most difficult. It’s difficult because the only way to learn patience is through difficult people, problems and persecution. Before James ends this letter, he will instruct us on the power of patience.
As we unpack these verses we can see several different ways patience applies to our lives.
Patience tolerance of other’s short-comings.
“Be patient…”
- God is patient with .
“The Lord is slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, forgiving iniquity and transgression.” Numbers 14:18
- We all have .
“You can safely assume you’ve created God in your own image when it turns out that God hates all the same people you do.” Ann Lamott
Patience us with a heavenly perspective.
“Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.” James 5:7-8
“For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal but the things which are not seen are eternal.” II Cor. 4:17
Patience me from a harsh judgment.
“Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.” James 5:9
- When one complains against a fellow .
- When one complains about .
Patience a godly example.
“As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.” James 5:10-11
- without . “take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord” (v. 10)
- followed by . “Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.” (v. 11)
- Job’s perseverance
- God’s purpose
- God’s provision
Patience hasty words.
But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes, and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation. James 5:12
Judges 11:30-35
“Beloved, have you ever thought that someday you will not have anything to try you, or anyone to vex you again? There will be no opportunity in heaven to learn or to show the spirit of patience, forbearance, and longsuffering. If you are to practice these things, it must be now.“ A.B. Simpson
“God’s best gifts come slowly. We could not use them if they did not. Many a man, called of God to…a work in which he is pouring out his life, is convinced that the Lord means to bring his efforts to a successful conclusion. Nevertheless, even such a confident worker grows discouraged at times and worries because results do not come as rapidly as he would desire.
But growth and strength in waiting are results often greater than the end so impatiently longed for. Paul had time to realize this as he lay in prison. Moses must have asked, ‘Why?’ many times during the delays in Midian and in the wilderness. Jesus Himself experienced the discipline of delay in His silent years before His great public ministry began.” M.H. Lount
Application
- How is your patience these days?
- Do you find yourself impatient with people?
- Do you find yourself impatient with problems?
- Do you daily look for the return of Jesus?
- Do you seek to endure, looking forward to the blessing?