The Four Eleven Foundation: 1 Thessalonians

8. REASON FOR TRUE OPTIMISM (James 5:7-12)

8.1. OPTIMISM BASED ON EAGER HOPE (James 5:7)

James 5:7 "Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. ..."

God will deal with the evil persons under whom they suffer wrongs. "Therefore" as the oppressed they could be "patient," that is, longsuffering even towards those who oppress them. This was possible because of an optimistic view of the future that was birthed in eager hearts focussed on the sure hope of the returning Lord. The coming 'parousia' was a term used to describe the anticipated or actual presence of a king to a city of his domain, so the hope is that of the Lord as King being present with His people and of His people being present with Him. Be 'patient' - the Lord is coming for you to receive you to Himself. 'Parousia' refers to the Lord coming and catching away to Himself the Church of whom it is said, upon the Lord coming:

1 Thessalonians 4:17 "... and so shall we ever be with the Lord. "

His own redeemed people will be with Christ Jesus their King in the time of His revelation and manifestation to the world.

Revelation 1:7 "Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen."

Patience that is enduring courage in the face of all hardship has as its motivating force, the eager, expected coming of the Lord, when the promise is fulfilled of being with the Lord forever.

8.2. OPTIMISM BASED ON ESTABLISHED HEARTS (James 5:7-8)

James 5:7 "... Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain."

Those whose hearts are steadied by the hope of the soon returning Lord, patiently, lovingly, and faithfully labour on in the Lord's work and purposes. They work in the Lord's fields, like the farmer who plants his seed about the time of the early rain, then waits for the necessary latter rain which would cause the grain to mature for harvest. His patience is finally rewarded with a good crop. As the labourers of Christ, we are to live for Him and patiently be occupied for Him, knowing the fruit of final harvest will be gathered in and the Lord of the harvest will return. In the meantime be patient. This is repeated, "You also be patient" (James 5:8 NKJV) the Lord is coming. This emphasises that our labour and our suffering is for a limited time and our reward sure.

The secret of patience is having our hearts established,

James 5:8 "You also be patient. Establish your hearts, ..."

Stand firm, supported by God's promises, even though the wicked seem to prosper and the righteous to suffer; the most steadying promise of all, His 'parousia' has drawn near. May you be found patiently labouring for Him.

Patiently labouring as commissioned and encouraged:
John 4:38 "I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors."

Patiently labour more abundantly with the grace of God.
1 Corinthians 15:10 "But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me."

Patiently labour trusting in the living God:
1 Timothy 4:10 "For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe."

Patiently labour as one working with God:
1 Corinthians 3:9 "For we are labourers together with God: ..."

Patiently labour characterised and motivated by love:
1 Thessalonians 1:3 "Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;"

Patiently labour in fervent prayers:
Colossians 4:12 "Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God."

Patiently labour, keeping busy till the Lord comes:
Luke 19:13 "... 'Do business till I come.'"

8.3. OPTIMISM BASED ON RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT (James 5:9)

James 5:9 "Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!"

Instead of "grumble" the margin gives the word "groan" indicating inner feelings against another, and allowing of a resentment to build up against another. The turmoil within can cause breakout into outspoken grumbling. The preventative is to remember "the Judge is standing at the door." He knows the thoughts of our hearts just as well as He hears and knows what we say against another. He expects us to live in right relationship with one another. As the Lord the Judge, He laid down a procedure to keep us from groaning and complaining.

Make real effort to settle any personal wrongs yourself:
Matthew 18:15 "Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother."

Should the first effort fail, take a witness and try again:
Matthew 18:16 "But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that 'by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.'"

Should your meeting before witnesses fail, tell the matter to the church:
Matthew 18:17 "And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector."

By taking the prescribed action we will be kept from sighing, groaning, and building up impatient resentment in which we would sin against our own physical and spiritual well being, putting ourselves in the place of the condemned. Living as those who hear the footsteps of the Judge approaching the door, will replace dismal groaning with optimistic gladness, for he knows all, he cannot be deceived, and he will do the right thing. Living as those committed to the Lord's judgment, our looking forward can only be gloriously optimistic.

QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

Are you living as one prepared for the Lords coming? (James 5:7 ).
What is the secret of your patient confidence lived out in a world increasingly hostile to God and His people? (James 5:8-9 ).
Can you state a promise by which you have established your heart, so that you labour patiently for the Lord? (James 5:8 ).
How can you prevent inner groaning and outspokenness against another? (James 5:9 ).

	Patiently labouring as commissioned and encouraged: John 4:38 "I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors."
	Patiently labour more abundantly with the grace of God. 1 Corinthians 15:10 "But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me."
	Patiently labour trusting in the living God: 1 Timothy 4:10 "For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe."
	Patiently labour as one working with God: 1 Corinthians 3:9 "For we are labourers together with God: ..."
	Patiently labour characterised and motivated by love: 1 Thessalonians 1:3 "Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;"
	Patiently labour in fervent prayers: Colossians 4:12 "Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God."
	Patiently labour, keeping busy till the Lord comes: Luke 19:13 "... 'Do business till I come.'"

	Make real effort to settle any personal wrongs yourself: Matthew 18:15 "Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother."
	Should the first effort fail, take a witness and try again: Matthew 18:16 "But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that 'by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.'"
	Should your meeting before witnesses fail, tell the matter to the church: Matthew 18:17 "And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector."