A Test of Patience

Faith without works is dead!

James has given several tests of genuine faith (faith that is proven by works, a tongue that is bridled, being characterized by wisdom from above, avoiding worldliness, pursuing God's will for our lives).

Now he gives us another test of true faith: A test of patience! James 5:7-11 

Be Patient 

(v.7)

James uses an illustration of life to show us the evidence of patience.

In an agricultural society, farmers live dependent on God's provision in the weather. Farming takes patience!

The illustration of a farmer reminds us that faith involves trusting God with what you cannot control.

Farmers don't determine when the rain will fall.

So, James says, when it comes to the Lord's coming and the injustice that surrounds you, like a farmer trust God with what you cannot control while honoring Him with what you can control.

When it comes to the farmer, patience does not mean inactivity! 

We think of patience as sitting back with our hands folded, waiting for something to happen. Does the farmer do that? 

First, the farmer has to prepare the soil. He tills it, prepares it, and gets the soil just right.

Then he plants the seed. And then he's done, right?

Hardly! He is continuously working his crop.

The farmer works in his field every day. All the while, he is patiently waiting for the harvest.

James tells us at the beginning of this verse what we are waiting for. We are patiently waiting to see Jesus. Whether we see Him when He calls us to heaven (in death) or calls us to meet Him in the air at His second coming—we patiently wait to see Him again!

But how do we patiently wait?

Just like the farmer waits for His crop, we wait by working! 

Strengthen Your Hearts 

(vv.8-9)

In one short verse, James uses two imperative verbs (commands). "Be Patient," and "Strengthen your hearts."

The word "strengthen" can also mean "establish or to make solid." It literally means "to prop up to prevent collapse." 

When James commands us to strengthen our hearts, he's telling us to stand firm while waiting upon the Lord courageously.

 Psalm 40:1-3 says, "I waited patiently for the Lord; And He inclined to me and heard my cry. He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear and will trust in the Lord." 

We can either patiently establish our hearts in the fact that Jesus is coming again soon, or take our eyes off Jesus and put them on ourselves. How do we do that?

(v.9) We remove Jesus as the only standard of judgment and make ourselves the standard of judgment.

There is only one righteous Judge.

In its context, when times get tough (suffering), it's easy for frustration to turn into anger directed at other people.

However, if you're a Christian, then patiently endure! 

Consider Those Who've Gone Before 

(vv.10-11)

Think of the prophets, who suffered greatly yet were faithful to endure while continuing to work for the Lord patiently.

Job patiently waited on the Lord, even though he had lost everything.

The text says we "have seen the outcome that the Lord brought about—the Lord is compassionate and merciful."

We've seen "the rest of the story!"

Job was patient and steadfast despite his tremendous sufferings. What was the result? God blessed him with renewed health and a new family.

Job was blessed to see the faithfulness of God!

Hudson Taylor was 21 years old when he sailed to China to serve as a missionary in 1853. After eight years, the church he pastored in Ningpo had 21 members. In 1861, he became seriously ill and was forced to return to England.

By 1866 (5 years of illness), he recovered and led a group of missionaries back to China to form an organization known as the China Inland Mission.

Taylor's grueling work pace continued despite his poor health. His wife and 4 of 8 children died. In 1900 it became too much, and he had a physical and mental breakdown.

"China is not to be won for Christ by quiet, ease-loving men and women.…The stamp of men and women we need is such as will put Jesus, China, [and] souls first and foremost in everything and at every time—even life itself must be secondary." — Hudson Taylor

Taylor would tell those who wanted to be missionaries to China that there were three indispensable requirements for a missionary:

1. Patience,
2. Patience,
3. Patience

Are you displaying patience like a farmer?

The evidence of our patience is seen in our faith characterized by our works, a tongue that is bridled, being characterized by wisdom from above, avoiding worldliness, and pursuing God's will for our lives. 

While you wait, what are you doing?

Do all the work you can for the coming harvest. Do all the work you can, the best way you can—and trust God for the fruit of the harvest.

That's patience. And patience is a sign of true, saving faith.