Week 15: James 1:4-5

James 1:4,5: And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.  If any of you lacks wisdom let him ask God, who gives generously to all and without reproach, and it will be given him.

1. From last week we learned that the testing of our faith produces steadfastness.  What do we do with this steadfastness?  We let it have its full effect, let it work in our lives to become more loyal to God, more devoted, more clingy.  For if we hold fast to God, then we will become perfect and complete.
1. Perfect.  James is telling us (via the Spirit, of course) that we'll become perfect.  This is staggering.  Jesus was the only perfect man to have ever lived, and yet here we see that we can become perfect through our trials.  Sanctification, that is, becoming more like Christ, is one of the purposes of our lives, so that we may give God the glory, and this passage (along with last week's verses) tells us exactly what to expect and how to achieve perfection.  Enduring trials by holding to faith in Jesus yields perfection.
2. Complete.  Alongside our perfection, we'll become complete.  Our longings will be satisfied.  Our hunger will be filled.  Our desires will be met.  Completion comes from God, by God, through God, and in God.  Indeed, we will drink from the Well of Living Water and never thirst again (and truly we already have).
3. Still, while we yet live on earth, we will not ever be perfect or complete.  Nevertheless, God promises to bless us along the way, and time and time again throughout Scripture this blessing comes in the form of Godly wisdom.  James tells us that God gives wisdom generously and without reproach.  Thank God that's He's not a stingy god, but a generous one.  Wisdom is vital to the Christian walk, and I believe we become wiser through the Word and Godly blessing, and James affirms that if we ask for wisdom, the Father will give.