“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, ESV)
If God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-good, then why is there evil and suffering?
Responses To Suffering:
- There is no God. -Atheism
- God is not all-knowing. -Open Theism/ Process Theology
- God is not all-powerful. -Finite Godism
- God is not all-good. -Panentheism/ Pantheism
- There is no suffering & Evil. -Pluralism
- God is not done yet, so patiently live by faith. -Christianity
James 5:7a “Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord…”
“Makrothumia” = Long-suffering, the opposite of anger and retaliation, often associated with mercy.
“Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:18–24, ESV)
” To me, the second coming is the perpetual light on the path which makes the present bearable.”
-Campbell Morgan
Final Words:
The Lord is coming and there will be a harvest- a day of judgment.