Be Assured So You May Become Complete

James 1:2-4; Philippians 3: 4-6, 8-11; 15,16

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith (in Christ) produces patience(perseverance). But let patience (perseverance) have its perfect work, that you may be perfect (mature) AND complete, lacking nothing." (James1:2-4)

"Yet indeed I also count all things (v. 4-6) loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things (v. 4-6), and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ, and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to (arrive at) the resurrection from the dead."
(Philippians 3: 8-11)                         

Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind."
(Philippians 3: 15, 16)

Mature. Perfect. Complete. In the dialect which I am familiar, perfect holds the most intense meaning. In fact, many times have I heard ministers say "you are never going to be perfect". "Perfect" to those who say such things means "entirely without any flaws" (Webster's). Another Webster's definition for "perfect" is "assured".

Assured to become complete. Perseverance, through its perfect work, causes the one who is assured (through faith in Christ) to become complete. That one will lack nothing. Even Paul says that he has not already attained completion, but presses on! That one is assured by the revelation of Jesus Christ, and that assurance holds those who will persevere through to completion! Must be some revelation.

This is where I will mention what I am impressed that the Lord made real to me. Paul says, "the Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs- heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together." (Romans 8:16,17)


Suffer how? Count anything you have accomplished (training); the pillars of your opinion; even YOUR RELIGION as rubbish at the revelation He brings; His way, His truth, His life; as He brings it! Paul greets the Philippian church and rejoices in their "fellowship". They were assured that they must count as rubbish what they thought they knew, attaining what Jesus knows and becoming complete in Him.