Lacking in Nothing
John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.
James 1:3-4For you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
These verses in James don’t suggest that we will be lacking in nothing simply because our faith is steadfast and strong. We may lose a job, have a house burn to the ground, a friend or relative could become gravely ill or even die. James is not talking about a lacking in this world. He’s talking about lacking in nothing because of Christ. He's assuring that Christ is our sufficiency, in this world and in the next.
James and John both encourage us not to fret and become discouraged because of our trials and tribulations in this life. Neither of them implies that it’s not normal and acceptable to be sad, to feel pressured, even sometimes a bit depressed. What they are reminding us though, is that everything in this world will pass away and perfection in Christ will be realized in heaven.
This verse from John is one of my “hallmark” verses, one that scrolls at the top of the pages on the website. Christ has overcome the world! Any day I forget that, is a day I haven’t lived into who I am and who God wants me to be. Any day I become distracted by the things of this world, the trials, the annoyances, the really difficult situations, that’s a day I wasted.
There is nothing in my life to complain about. I’ve got it much easier than many others I know personally and vicariously through others and the media. Don’t get me wrong, my family and I have struggles. We’re faced with tough situations on a daily basis, individually and as a family. So if I have nothing to complain about, who am I to lecture?
I am merely one who has been saved by God’s grace, through the gift of Jesus Christ. I have lived for many years believing the words of scripture in my head and wanting desperately to accept them with my heart. Many times I felt God working in me, peeling away, burning off and scraping away everything in me that was not of his making or liking. Countless times I have assured myself, “OK, now I’m done.” I repeatedly convinced myself that I was now going to have a faith life that was pretty routine and easy to maintain and sustain.
That’s where the trap is: believing we are “good enough” now. I often wonder if the chicken and the egg analogy applies to life. We begin to rely upon our own strength and wisdom, something difficult happens, we turn to God, either asking why or begging forgiveness. We draw closer and closer to Him as we turn to Him more and more ardently and intentionally. Our lives seem to improve and we have a stronger faith life. Then we get comfortable again and the cycle starts all over. I sit here today proclaiming I don’t know anything except Christ Jesus, died, buried and risen on the third day. I take courage each day, resting in the assurance that He has overcome the world!
My prayer today is that you confess Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior every single day of your life. And that you let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Mary.
Labels: Christ, faith, James, John, steadfast, struggles, trials
