Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:4)
Expanded Passage: James 1:4
One evening, renowned artist Edvard Munch went for a walk through Kristiania, Norway, with two of his friends. During that walk, Munch became overwhelmed by a surge of emotions. His emotions were so great that he had to lean against the railing of the bridge he was crossing to remain upright. As he rested against that railing, he said it was as if nature released a piercing scream and all he could do was try to block it out by placing his hands over his ears. Out of that moment came the enduring artwork titled “The Scream.” When we become overwhelmed by emotion, there do not seem to be any words to describe it. That is what makes art the perfect medium to express those emotions.
Think about the word perfect. Something is perfect when it lacks nothing in fulfilling its purpose. With that information, we discover these verses of James are a call to Christian perfection. What is Christian perfection? Wesley defined it as obedience to the Great Commandment. “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” (Matt. 22:37–40).
Do one thing that demonstrates God’s love despite personal difficulty.
TJ Albertson has been pastoring for nineteen years, the last seventeen in interchurch service. He loves teaching the entire Bible and its relevance to life.
© 2024 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
