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

Just what do we need to be complete? What determines perfection? What do we feel we are lacking?

These questions are all based on the flesh. The Spirit does not question these issues. Many times in our walk with Christ we will find ourselves asking such questions or asking for something for ourselves. It is the flesh that desires. It is the Spirit that satisfies.

Isaiah 41:13 English Standard Version (ESV) For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”

Focusing on the issue of walking with Christ, is our vision of independent movement or do we walk hand in hand?

Isaiah 41:13 creates an image of a small child being led by the hand, as if we were crossing a busy street. It is one of security and dependency. Those questions listed above are the flesh trying to exert its independence from God.

Philippians 1:6 English Standard Version (ESV) And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

We are all a work in progress. None of us are complete, yet. What we see in ourselves is flesh and has nothing to do with how God sees us. We struggle with those things in us we do not like and see them as a hindrance in our relationship. It is not.

Look once again to James 1:4 where it says “let steadfastness have its full effect”. The biblical outline usage of the steadfastness in the NT is the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings.

Isaiah 41:13, don’t let go of the One who holds you.