Let Patience Have Its Perfect Work In Your Life

[4] “But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” — James 1:4 NKJV

Pastor John Piper of Desiring God Ministries once said, “God regards faith in His children as so precious that He will use fire to refine it.” And to me, that is true since several scriptures prove its genuity (like Isaiah 48:10, James 1:3 and 1 Peter 1:22). But in the midst of tribulations, patience – the first virtue of love by Paul’s list in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, works in your life. That is why Jesus never promised that the world would be without suffering for His children. There are tribulations all around. But what will sustain you is the Word of God in your spirit.

Today, I would like you to reflect on what’s written in James 1:4, which is an addition to what the Apostle said in verse 2. That is, after your faith has been tested and produced patience (perseverance), let that same patience have its perfect work in your life. Why? Because there are benefits to it.

You’ll mature in the faith because you’ll know by revelation and experience that God will never forsake you.
You’ll be complete on every side. In other words, every area of your life will become gradually surrendered to the lordship of Jesus Christ as you walk in divine obedience.

Too many people seek comfort in life, so they run away from situations that’ll bring out the best in them. One example is skipping church because you’re afraid of demonic manifestation that’ll lead to your deliverance from oppression (I’ve witnessed this before concerning a church member).

The eternal life God gave you isn’t a comfortable life. There’s grace to live in comfort with no need, yet that grace is exclusive to selfish living.

You cannot get everything you want the day you think of it. That is why when things start troubling your mind, especially material things, turn your mind on the Maker, who makes everything beautiful in His time (see Ecclesiastes 3:11).

You’re a blessing.

Prayer:

Father, help me to bear the sufferings that come with the life you’ve given me for the cause of the gospel. Refine my faith, oh God, so that every impurity mixed with it will get scooped off my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Devotional Code: KGD – 2023 – 302