Full effect being complete and inferior to none. (James)

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

Let:  comprise, involve, possessed with

Patience: steadfastness, constancy, endurance (the characteristic of a man who is unswerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings)

Perfect: brought to its end, finished; lacking nothing necessary to completeness

Work: an act, deed, thing done: the idea of working is emphasized in opposed to that which is less than work

Entire: complete in all its parts, in no part lacking or unsound

Wanting: to lag, be inferior

Nothing: none, not

http://biblehub.com/interlinear/james/1-4.htm

Be possessed with steadfastness, constancy, and endurance so that I'll know the full effect being complete and inferior to none. 

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. James 1:2-4

There is a progression in these verses, with a purpose! But it's not a "once and I'm done", idea. It's a constant and ongoing process. It ALL begins with choosing the MAXIMUM Calm Delight!

Pattern - Great Patience

As I was studying Galatians 5: 22 and 23, I decided to see what other verses used the same words.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV)

Longsuffering: attitude of uncomplaining

Who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. 1 Peter 3:20

Longsuffering waited — waited patiently, great patience of God was waiting.

How long did God wait? According to Genesis 6:3 — And the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.” At least 120 years before flooding the earth. 

And I have trouble waiting weeks, days, or at times even minutes. When you consider the patience  the longsuffering that God did as he continued to watch the people He created sin against Him..... while providing an opportunity to be saved...... that is indeed longsuffering. 

And as I shared yesterday in my blog post, (Pattern) I am to pattern that same longsuffering. Something I need to work on for sure. 

Have I Put On an Attitude of Uncomplaining (Longsuffering)

As I was studying Galatians 5;22, 23, I decided to see what other verses used the same words.

Longsuffering - attitude of uncomplaining

As I re-read Colossians this morning, I couldn't help but think of the two recent marches that took place in Washington D.C.: the "Women's March" and the "March for Life". 

In viewing photos, and hearing the videos of the speeches, there was a very clear difference in the Marches. Read the explanations of Colossians 3:12 below, and you decide which March displayed a Christlike attitude. 

As I read Colossians, I had to reflect on how do I clothe myself? Particularly, today as my focus in on longsuffering (attitude of uncomplaining) — what have I "put on"? 

This post was a from my Study of Colossians. (The Colossians Study begins here: http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com/2014/08/special-assignment.html)

Clothe yourselves therefore, as God’s own chosen ones (His own picked representatives), [who are] purified and holy and well-beloved [by God Himself, by putting on behavior marked by] tenderhearted pity and mercy, kind feeling, a lowly opinion of yourselves, gentle ways, [and] patience [which is tireless and long-suffering, and has the power to endure whatever comes, with good temper]. Colossians 3:12 (AMP)

Since you are all set apart by God, made holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a holy way of life: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Colossians 3:12 (VOICE)

There is an old saying, "Clothes make the man." That means that people will judge others by the clothes you wear. We all react differently when we see people wearing different types and styles of clothes. A business suit not only makes a man stand taller, but it also brings respect. Compared to the sloppy baggy saggy pants which display an attitude of carelessness and brings disrespect. 

Paul isn't talking about the physical clothes we wear. Rather, he is talking about our behavior. The way we act is often more important as the physical clothes we wear. 

Clothe yourselves with a holy way of life. How exactly to I clothe myself with a holy way of life? It begins with realizing WHO I am—a chosen one of God. That is the basis for the entire way of life. Secondly, as a Child of God, I am to behave like one. And lastly, it's not about "me", rather it is about reflecting Who God is. 

PUT ON

bowels of mercies: it denotes inward pity and compassion to distressed, the most tender regard to persons in misery, and such compassion as is free from all hypocrisy and deceit, and therefore is expressed by "bowels"; and what is very large, and reaches to multitudes of objects, and is displayed and exerted various ways, and therefore signified by "mercies". 

kindness: which is this inward, tender, unfeigned, and abundant mercy put into act and exercise; this is doing good to all men 

humbleness of mind: looking upon themselves as the chief of sinners, in esteeming others better than themselves; in ascribing all they have, and are, to the grace of God; in doing works of mercy and righteousness without boasting of them, or depending on them; be ye clothed with humility 

meekness: which shows itself in not envying the gifts and graces, the usefulness and happiness of others, but rejoicing therein; in quietly submitting to the will of God in all adverse dispensations of This ornament of a meek and quiet, spirit is in the sight of God of great price. 

longsuffering: whereby a person patiently bears the evil words and actions of others, and is not easily provoked to wrath by them, but puts up with injuries, and sits down contented with the ill usage he meets with.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

A holy way of life is only possible when my heart is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31; MSG).

Attitude Translates Into Action

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV)

Kindness: favorable attitude, usefulness, i.e. morally, excellence (in character or demeanor); kindness that is also serviceable

Favorable attitude — that is serviceable! 

When I looked up "serviceable" the thesaurus, I found the following words: dependable, beneficial, invaluable, practical, usable.

Kindness isn't about just being polite. Rather it has the idea of having an attitude that translates into action. 

How often do we DO "kindness"? Kindness is to be beneficial, invaluable, PRACTICAL, and usable. But first must begin with an attitude — morally excellent attitude. 

Attitude: manner, disposition, feeling, position, etc., with regard to a person or thing; tendency or orientation, especially of the mind. (http://www.dictionary.com/browse/attitude)

If I want to produce kindness, I must work on my attitude for that will determine my actions. A good place to begin with an attitude adjustment is right in Galatians 5:22. 

Is my attitude what God prefers (love)? Does my attitude reflect grace recognized (joy)?  Is my attitude based on God's gift of wholeness (peace). Is my attitude one of uncomplaining (longsuffering)?

Kindness — attitude translates into action! 

Uncomplaining

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV)

Longsuffering: patience, forbearance, longanimity, slowness in avenging wrongs

Patience: the quality of being patient, as the bearing of provocation, annoyance, misfortune, or pain, without complaint, loss of temper, irritation, or the like.

an ability or willingness to suppress restlessness or annoyance whenconfronted with delay. (http://www.dictionary.com)

When I looked up the word in the thesaurus, the synonym that stood out  to me was, "uncomplaining".

It's easy to complain! We are quick to express to everyone the wrong that has been done to us! And the more we focus on that wrong the angrier we become. Then we want vengeance! 

If we change our mindset to one of "uncomplaining", to one of patience, one of "slowness in avenging" — then we will be able to show what God prefers (love) experience grace recognized (joy), and accept God's gift of wholeness (peace). 

Uncomplaining. Longsuffering.