Study # 10
November 5, 1997
Harlingen, Texas
(Download Audio)

• 1. Considering the future and deciding with it in mind.
• 2. Knowing that the process is working toward the realization of that future.
• 3. Permitting the process freedom to work.

• I. The Methodological Objective.
  • A. There is an ultimate objective: Maximized joy in a fixed condition for eternity...realized and unthreatened.
  • B. There is a methodological objective: development of the condition where it is possible for the judgment to result in maximized joy forever.
    • 1. This is not to be confused with the doctrine of justification by grace through faith.
      • a. This doctrine has NOTHING to do with the development of inner character in order for God to grant a status of exemption from condemnation [the doctrine in Romans of infused righteousness].
      • b. This doctrine simply posits access to the basic experience of forgiveness and some basic level of peaceful relationship between man and God.
      • c. The recipients of James' letter have already passed that point of understanding and faith.
    • 2. This teaching is captured by James' phrase, "lacking in nothing".
      • a. The basic assumption is that the more progress one makes toward this absence of lack the more joy one will have as a fixed and unthreatened commodity for eternity.
      • b. The meaning of the phrase...
        • 1) The contextual use of the term in the New Testament signifies that one who lacks is in danger of experiencing the pain of death. [See leipo in the New Testament].
        • 2) The implications...
          • a) That feeling pain is fundamental to the entire picture. [Where is the motivation to endurance if painful loss is impossible?]
          • b) That pain is inevitably tied to loss/lack.
          • c) That God can only suffer loss; He cannot be lacking.
          • d) That only creatures can lack.
          • e) That creatures only lack when they are alienated from their Supplier.
      • c. The conclusions we must draw...
        • 1) The condition of maturity is having the developed skill of consistently choosing according to Truth in harmony with Love.
        • 2) The problem of immaturity is the problem of choosing to exalt a lesser love above a higher love, or to exalt a lesser tenet of faith above a higher one.
          • a) The bottom line of facing difficulty is facing a conflict of values.
          • b) The process of enduring is the process of...
            • i) Refusing to take an illegitimate way out of the tension.
            • ii) Continuing to refuse.