THURSDAY January 30, 2020
Patiently Wait for Christ’s Coming
Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
James 5:7-8
James continued to encourage believers in Christ to be patient in their trials and temptations, knowing that they would have victory over them. He gave them a good reason, reassuring them that Jesus was coming soon! What a good theme James brought to their attention. He prepared Christians to accept with patience their trials, while knowing that Jesus would soon be coming again.
The Scriptures declare that Jesus is coming again (Hebrews 9:28). When we stand before the Bema Seat of Christ, He will reward each person for their works. As our works pass through the fire, the value of our rewards will be seen. They are valued from the greatest to the least: gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw. If nothing endures, that person will be saved as by the fire because, the gift of salvation is free:
Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire (1 Corinthians 3:12-15).
Knowing that Jesus is coming again should cause such urgency in our hearts for the lost. His coming should be on our minds constantly, because we know that one day we shall have to give an answer to Him for the things we have done.
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
~2 Corinthians 5:10~
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