God’s Goal for Us

[4] And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and
complete, lacking in nothing (James 1:4).

Do you have goals for your life? What would some of those be? To get a good job when you
grow up? Get good grades? Get really good at sports, music, or another hobby? Goals are great
things to have because they help us focus on achievement in our lives. We should thank God for
all that he enables us to do by his grace.

God has a goal for us as well, be “perfect and complete”.

But the promise is that this will not happen on it’s own. It usually will require a bit of
suffering to produce this. Remember verses 2 and 3 from yesterday’s devotional? What did it
say? It said that suffering will produce steadfastness, and today we learn that this steadfastness
is going to “effect” something in our lives. We learn that that is perfection and completeness.
We don’t believe that true sinlessness can be achieved on this side of the New Heavens
and the New Earth, but that doesn’t mean that this isn’t God’s will for us and that we shouldn’t
strive for holiness. When we fail to be perfect (which we do everyday) we repent and believe the
Gospel which leads us to more and better obedience through the course of our lives.

Read Romans 8:29-30
1. These two verses are some of the most precious in the Bible. It’s chalked full of great spiritual
truths. But did you notice what it said about God’s will for us? What was it?
2. What is one way that you need to grow in conforming to who Jesus was and is? (For example,
he was perfectly patient, is patience a character issue and opportunity for repentance and growth,
etc?)

Prayer
Our Father, thank you that you sent your Son so that we know what perfection and completeness
looks like. We fail everyday to achieve it, but we know that you are working in us by your Spirit
to produce your will in us. Help us to listen and obey. Help us to endure the suffering that is
necessary to produce the godly character that you want in our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.