A Word of Encouragement

July 5, 2025

Harmony - circa 1975

Grace, Hope & Peace, Friend;

Telling crowds that we are to love EVERYONE - even our enemies and those who mistreat us - Jesus said, "You shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matthew 5:43-48) That was God's plan from the beginning - humans were designed to love Him and love each other. (Deuteronomy 6:5, Leviticus 19:18) And Jesus said those are the two most important commandments, and are the basis for everything God has told us through the law and the prophets. (Matthew 22:37-40) God created us to BE love just like He is love! (1 John 4:8)

Writing to Jewish believers, scattered throughout the world, James wrote,

Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
	James 1:2-3

Do we trust God? He has promised that His plans for us are for our benefit. (Jeremiah 29:11) When He allows us to experience trials - set-backs, disappointment, loss, etc. - do we still trust Him? Or do we question His love for us?

Testing our trust in God, - our faith - produces endurance, as we see His love working in and through us - even in His discipline. We can love, because we see how He loves us! So James wrote,

Let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
	James 1:4

The Common English Bible (CEB) translates it, "Let this endurance complete its work so that you may be fully mature, complete, and lacking in nothing." As our faith in God grows, we become more like God! We can love like He loves us. We are COMPLETE and need nothing else!

Ben HaElohim shleimut l’Olam - Son of God, eternal completeness (perfection) - Thank You for the experiences You have taken me through. Help me love like You love me.

Prove yourselves doers of the word, and not just hearers who deceive themselves.
	James 1:22

Be perfect/complete,