An "Impossible" Directive - 10

In our pursuit of understanding James 1:2-8, 12 there are key words.

Key word #4: Endurance

”…for when your endurance is fully developed…

Endurance defined:

·        ability to bear prolonged  hardship

·        the staying power of life (James Moffatt)

The Asbury Bible describes it this way: “It may be in the home (sickness), in the workplace (competition), or even in the Christian community (jealousy). They (hardships) come in many sizes and shapes, often irritating, always unplanned (Adamson, 54), and always demanding a response. We prefer not to have to contend with them, hoping to be spared the strain and stress.”

Living in reality, everyone must face the challenges of adversity. No one is immune to hardship. In  this passage James is encouraging us not  only  to face the harsh times but to intentionally meet them head-on, taking a positive stance with an attitude of joy! It  has been said,“Welcome the challenge! This testing of our faith will begin to generate endurance, which serves as a basic ingredient in the development of Christian character.” …for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

Key word #5: Perfect

James challenges the readers to be open to the ultimate effect of endurance—a mature and complete Christian life. The word perfect is defined by Vine’s Dictionary: having reached its end, finished , complete, conveying  the idea of goodness, a process leading to consummation. It comes by making trials work to the advantage of the believer. It sounds great. It is, but it is not easy to do. Each situation requires perception, evaluation, and an intentional  informed response. Who has that kind of resourcefulness? It is within reach through prayer. What does  perfection look like?

Essential elements of “perfection“:

·             benevolence – Mat.19:21 Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” This said to a young man who wanted to follow Christ but  loved his money more. Is there a part of ourselves that God is saying “Give that up. It is too important to  you..Benevolence – a pocket book yielded to God.

·             Love Col 3:14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. Even making eye contact with people is an act of love. Look with me at one example.

 MONDAY, Jan. 30 (HealthDay News) -- The need for a connection to other people is so powerful that being ignored by a stranger can make someone feel left out, according to a new study.

People need to feel they are part of a group or connected to others in order to be happy, the researchers explained. This sense of belonging can come from joining a club, a friendly neighbor or -- as this study reveals --

In even eye contact from a stranger.conducting the study, researchers randomly chose people walking on the Purdue University campus in West Lafayette, Ind. A research assistant either looked them in the eye, looked them in the eye and smiled or looked in their general direction but not directly at them. Once they passed the research assistant, the study subjects were asked how connected they felt to others.

The study, published in Psychological Science, found those who had gotten eye contact from the research assistant felt less disconnected than those who were ignored -- even when they didn't get a smile.

"These are people that you don't know, just walking by you, but them looking at you or giving you the air gaze -- looking through you -- seemed to have at least momentary effect," said study co-author Eric Wesselmann of Purdue University in a school news release. "What we find so interesting about this is that now we can further speak to the power of human social connection. It seems to be a very strong phenomenon." 

Science is catching up with Scripture. Continuing on essential elements of “perfection.”

·             Performance(Good Works) James 2: 22 NKJV  Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?

·             Tongue control James 3:2  Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.

·             Obedience ! John 2:5 NKJV But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.

Perfection is rendered “Maturity” by some and that does sound more reachable. Question: Using these elements as a guide, how are we doing in our growth of perfection?