Sermon: Her Perfect Work - Part 1
 by Chris Cumming                                                                        printer-friendly    MP3     Part 2 of this sermon
 
The other day I was doing some Bible study for another sermon when I came across an intriguing verse; one you and I have, no doubt, read countless times.  It is found in James 1.

James 1:4
But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

What does it mean, "let patience have her perfect work"?  How can patience do a work?  How can it make me perfect?  What is the meaning of the phrase, "wanting nothing"?

Today we will answer these questions and more, as I encourage all of us to let patience have her perfect work.

Let patience have her perfect work.

We will begin with the commentary on James 1:4

But let patience have her perfect work - Let it be fairly developed; let it produce its appropriate effects without being hindered. Let it not be obstructed in its fair influence on the soul by murmurings, complaining, or rebellion. Patience under trials is fitted to produce important effects on the soul, and we are not to hinder them in any manner by a perverse spirit, or by opposition to the will of God. Everyone who is afflicted should desire that the fair effects of affliction should be produced on his mind, or that there should be produced in his soul precisely the results which his trials are adapted to accomplish. ~Barnes Notes

That ye may be perfect and entire - The meaning of this is explained in the following phrase - “wanting nothing;” that is, that there may be nothing lacking to complete your character. There may be the elements of a good character; there may be sound principles, but those principles may not be fully carried out so as to show what they are. ~Barnes Notes

I want to interject a thought at this point.  God is telling us that His principles work.  Remember 2 Corinthians 3:18. This verse speaks to our going from "glory to glory."  It is a glory each and every time we invoke the power of the Holy Spirit in bringing out a fruit of the Spirit or one of God's principles.  The meaning here; "let patience have her perfect work" is speaking to the power of the design of Godly principles.  It is not enough to just know them, we must open them up, plant them, start them up or put them into action to see, know and experience their full potential.  Each "glory" has eternal effect on the development of our character.  The phrase "wanting nothing" is both a concept and a warning.  The concept is this:  Do not allow any element in this world, in human nature or Satan stand between you and the full potential of any principle of God.  Those principles, when fully invoked have the power to mold character or as the Bible says, "conform us to the image of Jesus Christ.

Referenced verses:
2 Corinthians 3:18 [see sermon, "Glory to Glory"] 
But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Here is a prime example of this concept of "wanting nothing" or possibly better stated, "not allowing any negative element to hinder the working of principle."

Mark 11:22 [see sermon, "Tell It To the Mountain”]
22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.
23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

Note: The verse 22 phrase, "have faith in God" has the meaning of, "the strongest kind of faith" or "the same faith God has."  The verse 23 phrase, "and shall not doubt in his heart" has the meaning of, "even the slightest bit of doubt."  In essence, God has given us a set of verses in Mark 11 to understand the concept given to us in James 1:4.  Let us now continue in the Barnes Notes commentary on James 1:4, remembering that the admonition in the first part was for us to let Godly principles meet their highest potential each time they are invoked.  We continue...

Afflictions, perhaps more than anything else, will do this [open the potential], and we should therefore allow them to do all that they are adapted to do in developing what is good in us. The idea here is, that it is desirable not only to have the elements or principles of piety in the soul, but to have them fairly carried out, so as to show what is their real tendency and value. Compare the notes at 1 Peter 1:7. On the word “perfect,” as used in the Scriptures, see the notes at Job 1:1. The word rendered “entire” means, whole in every part. Compare the notes at 1 Thessalonians 5:23. The word occurs only in these two places. The corresponding noun occurs in Acts 3:16, rendered “perfect soundness.” ~Barnes Notes [Emphasis mine]

Quoted scriptures:
1 Peter 1:7
That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

Job 1:1
There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.

The commentary on Job 1:1:
And that man was perfect: The Septuagint have greatly expanded this statement, by giving a paraphrase instead of a translation. “He was a man who was true, blameless, just, pious, abstaining from every evil deed.”  ~Barnes Notes

1 Thessalonians 5:23
And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Here is the commentary on the word, "wholly":

Wholly - holoteleis. In every part; completely. It is always proper to pray that God would make his people entirely holy. A prayer for perfect sanctification, however, should not be adduced as a proof that it is in fact attained in the present life. ~Barnes Notes

Note: What this means is that though one cannot attain absolute perfection in this life, we can be addressing all of the processes that take us that way.

Acts 3:16
And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

Wanting nothing - “Being left in nothing;” that is, everything being complete, or fully carried out. ~Barnes Notes

Note:  This backs up the meaning of, "Wholly" in that we are not leaving important processes totally neglected within the Salvation process.

Another verse that brings out this idea of afflictions being an opportunity to invoke principles of God is 1 Peter 5:10 where it says, "after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect."  More about this verse later.

Why does man need Godly principles to do their perfect work?  For the simple reason that spiritual things are more powerful than man.

Spiritual things are more powerful than you.

Psalm 103:14
For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

Romans 8:26
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Hebrews 4:14-16
14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

2 Corinthians 12:10
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Let us now explore some additional scriptures that are linked to James 1:4.

Scriptures linked to the James 1:4 phrase, "But let patience have her perfect work”:

James 5:7-11
7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.
10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.
11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

Note: First notice that this is later in the same book of James but with embellishment to the simple statement in the first chapter.  The statement of James 1:4 is simply to let any specific principle of God to work to its fullest potential of molding you to the character of Christ.  This text in chapter 5 is showing us spiritual multitasking.

Verse 7: the passage begins with the same word, patience.  It adds that an incentive to our working process this idea of waiting on Jesus to return to the planet.  Verse 8 does the same thing.  The phrase, stablish your hearts is speaking to the overall goal of invoking all these principles and processes God has given us.  Verse 9 speaks to our phrase, "wanting nothing."  If one has a grudge against his or her brother, we are hindering the process.

Speaking of spiritual multitasking, we have this passage from 2 Peter 1:

2 Peter 1:5-10
5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

Now more scriptures linked to the James 1:4 phrase, "But let patience have her perfect work:

Job 17:9
The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.

Psalm 40:1
I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

Note: this verse is not only an example of invoking patience but going to God asking for the strength found in Godly principles.

Matthew 10:22
And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

Note:  The only way to endure to the end is to be constantly invoking Godly principles.

Luke 8:15
But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

Luke 21:19
In your patience possess ye your souls.

1 Peter 5:10  [see sermon, "Stablishment"]
But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

This verse gives us much so I want to give you a verse linked to all of the phrases found therein and which speak to the idea of God bringing us to perfection:

For the James 1:4 phrase, "That ye may be perfect and entire."

Proverbs 4:7-8
7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
8 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.

Matthew 5:48
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

2 Timothy 3:16-17  [see Lesson]
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Hebrews 13:20-21
20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

For the James 1:4 phrase, "Wanting nothing:"

James 1:5 ...the verse following our key verse
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Note: this lack of wisdom is speaking to a need of understanding of things in our life that would be separating us from allowing the perfect work of Godly principles.

Matthew 19:20 ...a disciple had asked Jesus if he [the disciple] was lacking anything in his commandment keeping.

The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?

Note:  this is the most appropriate prayer for those seeking those things that might be hindering the perfect work of God in us.

Mark 10:21
Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

Luke 18:22
Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

2 Peter 1:9
But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

Let us read this one in context:

2 Peter 1:5-10 …I read this passage earlier in this sermon
5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

So go now and let patience have her perfect work in you.  If you do, this final verse will describe your spiritual life:

Proverbs 4:18 
But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.   

Part 2 of this sermon  

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