On the grounds of the ever near and constantly to be expected coming again of our Lord, God especially enjoins on us a loving, forbearing conduct, and great reserve in our judgment of one another. Certainly difficulties and frictions arise among us because of our imperfections; but God's counsel is, "Forbearing one another in love." This forbearance should be a striking and marked characteristic of God's people, an excellence openly seen by the world. "Let your forbearance be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand" (Phil. 4:5). It is faith in [171] the Lord's speedy coming that should make us thus forbearing. "For yet a very little while, he that cometh shall come, and shall not tarry." But the servant that saith in his heart, "My Lord delayeth his coming," he it is that also begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; upon whom the Lord will come in an hour that knoweth not and appoint his portion with the hypocrites. "Be patient therefore, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. . . . Murmur not, brethren, one against another, that ye be not judged; behold, the judge standeth before the doors." (James 5:7-9.) When he comes, he will adjust all things very satisfactorily in abundant fairness. "Wherefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and make manifest the counsel of the hearts." (1 Cor. 4:5.)

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