“The Call To Patience” (Part 2)

This week we are examining James 5:7-12 and seeing the challenge to a life that displays biblical patience. Yesterday we saw the need for patience as we await the Lord’s return. Now the challenge becomes even more stretching…

Patience with Other Believers- (vv.9-10)

Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door. As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. (vv.9-10)

It is a reality that impatience with God will lead to impatience with His people. James’ exhortation?

“Don’t complain!”

It is a challenge to set aside deep-seated bitterness, which is always unacceptable for the child of God. The idea of “grumble” or “complain” is to blame others for your troubles. It is a negative, condemning, critical spirit. Why does he command us to not do this?

• It will do irreparable damage to your own heart;
• It will drive people from you, creating a self-imposed isolation;
• It performs Satan’s role (devil=diabolos=slanderer)
• It is not your right. The righteous Judge is coming, and it is  not our prerogative to assume we can do His job. Only the Judge Himself has that right, and so, since none of us are without faults we must learn to be patient as we grow together in Christ.

How do we relate to the problems of people? James says, “take the prophets” as an example. Heb. 11:37 gives us a hint as to how they were treated:

• Elijah was hated and hounded,
• Isaiah was sawn in half,
• Jeremiah was thrown into a cistern to starve to death,
• Amos was falsely accused off conspiracy.

Yet, God used them in spite of all of that. That is the key—to be used of God you must be able to handle the problems people bring. You cannot serve Christ with a bitter heart towards His people—learn to be patient.

Tomorrow, we will examine a final arena in which we need to have and exhibit patience.