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James 1:4 (NKJV)
James tells us, “that the testing of your faith produces patience” (James 1:3, NKJV), and he now tells us to, “let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:4). The NIV translates this same passage of James 1:4 in the view of producing perseverance, and states, “Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” To be patient, as defined by Merriam-Webster is, “bearing pain or trials without complaint. Showing self-control; calm. Steadfast despite opposition, difficulty, or adversity.” To persevere is defined by Merriam-Webster as, “to persist (as in an undertaking) in spite of difficulties.”
This is a command to allow patience/perseverance work in our lives.
This is a promise that in allowing patience/perseverance to work in our lives we will be made perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
The letter that James has written is a letter to take action, and in this command to allow patience/perseverance to work in our lives, we must exercise it. James 1:4 (NKJV) begins with, “But let” indicating that we must allow patience/perseverance to work in our lives. How do we do that? By being patient/persevering. It is a command to utilize what we are seeking; we must put it into action; we cannot simply wait for it; it is a requirement to obtain the desired result, which is being “made perfect and complete, lacking nothing” as is this teaching in James 1:4.
This is part one of a two part lesson. Tomorrow we will learn that it is only through our faith in Christ Jesus that we are able to obtain what we are seeking in fulfilling the command. The two work together to make the believer “perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:4b).
Dear LORD,
To be patient and to persevere in this world which has an ever-growing attitude of wanting everything now is a daunting task to attempt. But we have a Savior who has defeated the ways of this world, and His name is Jesus. It is only through our faith in Him that we are able to overcome the ways of this world and claim victory in Christ Jesus. Please help us to keep our focus on Jesus that we may, “let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:4). In Jesus name I pray, amen.