Patience in View of the Lord’s Return

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 the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. 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 you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. 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 5:7–12
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Patience in View of the Lord’s Return
The Christian must learn to suffer in this life. We do not suffer in despair like non-believers, we suffer like we mourn, with the full confidence of Christ’s victory over sin, death, and the devil. Christians suffer here in this life knowing that Christ is coming back to take us out of this veil of tears to himself in heaven forever. The Christian life is a patient life. Like the farmer who must wait for the crops to grow and mature, so also, dear Christian, we are patient. Like the Lord is longsuffering, so also, we must be longsuffering. Have no fear where this patience will come from. The Holy Spirit plants it in your heart. Patience is a fruit of the Spirit. He plants and waters and provides the growth. Faith grabs ahold of the promises of God and knows that he is true to his Word. The Lord is faithful. He will sustain you.