Let Patience Have Her Perfect Work

"But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." - James 1:4

Patience then has its work; and what is that? It is firstly to endure all trials, live through all temptations, bear all crosses, carry all loads, fight all battles, toil through all difficulties, and overcome all enemies. Then secondly it is to submit to the will of God, to own that he is Lord and King, to have no will or way of its own, no scheme or plan to please the flesh, avoid the cross, or escape the rod. It is to submit simply to God's righteous dealings, both in providence and grace, believing that he does all things well, that he is a Sovereign, "and worketh all things after the counsel of his own will," (Ephesians 1:11)

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Yet looking for perfect submission in the flesh is to look for perfection in the flesh, which was never promised and is never given. Look to what the Spirit is working in you, not to the carnal mind which is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be, and therefore knows neither subjection nor submission. Look at that inward principality of which the Prince of Peace is Lord and Ruler, and see whether in the still depths of your soul, and where he lives and reigns, there is submission to the will of God.

- from J.C. Philpot's Through Baca's Vale, August 18