Pastor Chris’ Corona Quarantine Epistles to the Flock of AIC Ngong Road, in Dispersion and Isolation. 65th. Edition.
Dear Family,
Today we switch gears to the return of Christ (James 5:7-8). But remember that in the previous passage, the day of judgment was alluded to. For some believers, the Lord could not come soon enough – poverty, persecution, and all manner of troubles remind us that this world is not our home. We are encouraged to not give up. Expect the coming of the Lord (v. 7). God always does things in the fullness of time. We should be patient, like a farmer.
As much as the farmer may want his harvest soon after planting, he knows that that is just wishful thinking. The process must run its full course. First would be the Autumn (early) rains. These were important for germinating the seed. Months later would come the Spring (latter) rains that would give the crop its final boost, before the harvest. To get a good harvest, the farmer must wait the time out. But the reality also is, impatience will change nothing. A crop will not be ready for harvest until time.
In the same way, Christ will return in his time. He is wise, who waits patiently. Establish your hearts (v. 8). As we wait for the Lord’s return, we can be prone to two common mistakes. The first is the Scoffers’ error (2 Peter 3:3-4). This is the assumption that time has proved the promises of scripture false, and that the Lord’s coming is not going to happen. Peter deals with that quite effectively. Read the whole of 2 Peter 3, for a full picture. The second mistake is the Separatist’s error. This is where people detach themselves from the reality around them, since the Lord’s return is soon, to wait for his coming. James addresses this problem here, encouraging us to establish our hearts.
This suggests that we build on our faith so that it is steadfast. We must continue to live our lives in anticipation, but actively engaging every sphere of life, because that is the way to make an impact. The contemporaries of James, who did not heed this counsel, wasted time that could have been spent productively, because the Lord did not return in their lifetime. The same applies to us.
The Lord could come anytime, even before this epistle gets to you. But then again, he may not.
Be ready always, mindful that the Lord could come in the next moment, but also plan for the future, aware that he may not come in our lifetime.
Your Loving Pastor Chris.