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GROW UP!

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of various kinds. 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you are mature and complete, lacking nothing.

Did your mother ever tell you to grow up? What about your father or worse still, your girlfriend or wife?


James, Jesus' half-brother, is telling us to grow up. He knew what he was talking about because he had been raised in the same house as Jesus. Even though they probably shared a room, James did not become a believer until his older half-brother was resurrected from the grave. Is that amazing or what?


 James grew up with the wonder boy and never thought he could be from another kingdom. James was there when Jesus, inside a crowded house, teaching and healing, was called to come outside to his mother.


 Mary had brought her boys, the “normal ones”, to pick up her lunatic son who thought he was God in sandals. Jesus, of course, did not fall for the call and used the invitation to illustrate who his real mother and brothers were. They were his followers.


James was there. He now reflects on these events and gives us a lesson on how to mature.


My older brother once told me, right after I mentioned that he wanted to grow up quickly: "Michael, some people mature at 15, others don't even mature at 55!"


"James tells us that maturity comes at a high price. It comes with trials and problems. It comes while we persevere in each one. This action will bring a spiritual revelation. It will show you where you are in your walk with Jesus Christ. It can even show others that you don't have a walk with God.


It is funny, in a strange way, that God, in his sovereign control, allows difficulties to come our way. It may seem like he would like to protect us, as we usually do with our children. Not so. He allows and even sends problems to us.


And here James tells us their purpose. These difficulties help us in the process of maturing. So, what are you going through now? Put your nose to the grindstone with perseverance and you will come out of your problem closer to the image of the perfect man, Jesus Christ.
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