We are looking at the book of James, a Bible author who told it as it is. His teachings challenge the reader to act on and not only hear the Word of God. We started in our previous messages on James 1:2-4:
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
I want to look at the last sentence in this passage: “Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James almost gave personality to ‘perseverance’. It is as if it is a person working in us to get us to a result. Perseverance indicates time spent continuously with the same thing until it is accomplished.
If a sprinter works at improving his time over the one hundred metres sprint, he runs it over and over whilst the coach times him and looks for little things he is doing wrong that slows him down. It could be that his start is too slow, or that he is not focussing on the winning line or that he slows down too early. It could be that he does not use his whole body correctly to propel him forward. The significance is that he spends time and effort to increase his speed. Unless he perseveres, i.e. unless perseverance finishes its work, he will not reach the speed he is aiming at. When does perseverance finish its work? Only when he has reached his goal - his target speed. If he gives up before the time he will have to settle for a less favourable position in the race for which he is practicing.
What is the goal for which we aim with regard to faith and obedience? We aim for maturity and completeness, not lacking anything. Are you aiming for this in all areas of your life or are you just not bothered? The aim the Lord has for us is perfection “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect,” (Matthew 5:48). This is not a suggestion, but a command. In a previous message we have discussed what Jesus meant by perfection. He wants us to be mature. One of the key elements of maturity is unselfishness. He wants us to be as mature and unselfish as Father God is. Now think of Father God in these terms. He is available to us all the time. Jesus said in John 9:4: “As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.” In Psalm 121:3-4 we are comforted with: “I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.”
The Lord’s perfection makes Him live completely for those He loves - not only for the righteous, but for all mankind. “But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous,” (Matthew 5:44-45) and “...God our Saviour, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth,” (1 Timothy 2:3). What do these passages say about Father God?
Father God has to tolerate a lot of nonsense from his children as well as from those who hate Him, but He does not complain or care about Himself. Because He is love He is motivated by love. One important aspect we as His children must realise, though, is that He works at reproducing Himself in us. “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do,” (Ephesians 2:10) and therefore we need to “continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose,” (Philippians 2:12).
Lord I would like to persevere in obedience so I could become mature and complete, lacking nothing – just like you.
Thank you Lord that your Word went out from your mouth, via your servant’s pen, and it will not return to you empty, but will accomplish what you desire and achieve the purpose for which you sent it.
Please pass this on if you think others may benefit by it.
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