April 28
________________________________________
PERFECTION IN CONTENMENT
James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad: Greetings.2 Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance
4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. – James 1:1-4
________________________________________
According to the English Standard version translation introduction to this book, James the brother of Jesus wrote this book which is stated in Matthew 13:55 and leader of the Jerusalem church (Acts 15). It was probably written about AD 40-45 to Jewish Christians living outside Palestine. The Theme of his book focuses on how Christians must live out their faith. They should be doers of God’s word, not just hearers. James wrote this at the time when the Christians were suffering persecution and living in poverty. They were in social and spiritual conflict. Many believers were living in a worldly manner. James corrects them and challenges them to seek God’s wisdom to work out these problems.
In the opening of this letter of James, he introduces himself as a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is interesting that he didn’t claim to be Jesus’ brother, but his servant. That tells us that our physical life is not as important as our spiritual life. He may be a brother in this world, but in the spirit realm, he is a bond-servant of his Master, Jesus Christ.
At the start of his letter, he encourages the believers to have a different attitude towards trials and sufferings. He wants them to see these trials as an opportunity to be joyful. This message is going to be laughed at by the world because the world wouldn’t want suffering. He further explains that the reason to have a spirit of joy is because these are avenues to test their faith. If faith isn’t tested, it is not going to endure. When we are tested, we become strong to face adversities. When we are able to push through these testing, we will produce endurance. James tells the believers that once, they have endured, they will be perfect and complete needing nothing. The perfection he is actually referring it is “contentment.” It is contentment that brings about joy, not material things.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why do many of us misconstrue perfection for being without fault when it means “contentment” in God’s economy?