3 Things That Will Make Us Perfect

James 1:2-8 NKJV
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

The first thing we notice that James talks about is faith… faith is the bloodline that is woven throughout the entire bible especially through James.

1. Faith
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

Faith isn’t just a blind hope in some greater good called the universe. True faith, according to Hebrews 11, faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things unseen. Faith is the substance of earth that God responds to. The life of faith with God is everything by faith. We worship by faith. We give by faith. We wake up by faith. The bible says that the just shall live by faith.

The African impala can jump to a height of over 10 feet and cover a distance of greater than 30 feet. Yet these magnificent creatures can be kept in an enclosure in any zoo with a 3-foot wall. The animals will not jump if they cannot see where their feet will fall. Faith is the ability to trust what we cannot see, and with faith we are freed from the flimsy enclosures of life that only fear allows to entrap us.

2. Patience

But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

The next thing we see is patience. Perfection comes through perseverance. Patience comes through testing. One of the most dangerous and I think humorous prayers is the prayer for more patience. Ask for patience God gives you a stop light. Ask for patience God gives you the slowest check out line on the planet. Patience comes through waiting, it comes through testing. Maybe it goes deeper…. ask for patience in your marriage and your spouse does something that requires… patience!

This is how we become perfect, complete, and lacking nothing! It’s the work of faith and patience. It’s the perfect work of God in us.

3. Wisdom

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

From patience we see that James talks about wisdom. Wisdom is the key of life. Solomon didn’t ask for money or fame or influence, he asked for wisdom and because he received what he asked for those other things came to pass.

Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?” The speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. Then God said to him: “Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you. And I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days. So if you walk in My ways, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.” (I Kings 3:9-14 NKJV)

Some people think that if they just get a bunch of book knowledge they are wise. Not true. They are knowledgable… Wisdom is knowledge applied. The key ingredient in all of this is faith because we see that James compares someone who doubts to a double-minded man.

But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Doubt comes from fear, a fear that God won’t show himself true. Because we put the same experience with people onto God. Because people have let us down that means God will let us down. The solution here is that God isn’t a person, he is mighty and the Creator of all things but more importantly he is a Father.

He wants to give us good things, blessing in our lives but it requires faith.

He is the Father of lights and He is a good, good Father.

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Please leave your thoughts if you feel led and let’s continue the conversation! May God bless you!