Are You Lacking?
Phil Wainright
“Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?” I Thess. 3:10. The word lacking means a deficit, that which is behind, or wanting. Joshua, a godly and honorable man who walked with God and was one of the spies who brought back a good report - “We are well able to take the land.” After forty years he was still ready to take the land. In Joshua 13:1, the Lord said unto him, Thou art old and stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed.” There was still more that God wanted to do in the heart of Joshua, there was still yet some “lacking.”
In Daniel 5:27, Belshazzar is described as “Tekel,” meaning weighed and found wanting, deficient. Often we may be tempted to compare our selves with someone else, but the measure is not with one another. In II Cor. 10:12 we read, that is “not wise.” The measure is with someone elsem - Eph. 4:13, the measure is Christ. We realize, “there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed.” God has some things to accomplish in our life.
God desires to make us into the image of His Son, Christ Jesus, Rom. 8:28-29. All that happens in our lives is for this purpose. This work will take all of our life to accomplish. I Thess. 4:12, That we may walk honestly toward them that are without (the unsaved) and that we may have lack of nothing. I think of the prayer of the Psalmist, “Search me, oh God, try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” - Psa. 139:23-24. Paul prayed that God might “perfect.” How can we come to this level of maturity (Perfection) in Christ Jesus? Let us consider five ways in Scripture.
1 – By the Word of God: II Tim. 3:14-17, “Continue thou in…which thou hast heard and been assured of…All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good. Works.” We must learn the Word of God, you cannot take this out of the growth process and fully develop. Just as a newborn child does not automatically do what is right: he makes mistakes and needs instruction. Our selfish tendencies also need correction. God uses His Word to do this.
2 – Through Godly ministers: Eph. 4:8-14, God gave gifts unto men. He gave some, apostles, some prophets, and some, evangelists and some pastors the teachers; “For the perfecting of the saints” (V. 12). These have an important part in the perfecting work that God is doing in our lives.
3 – through prayer: We need to pray if we are to be “perfected.” To pray that God will help us understand His word and to know His will and purpose for our lives. If we do not there will be a lack. We need to pray for other saints also. I am thankful for the prayers of the saints, without their prayers there would be a lack. I am encouraged to pray for God’s people.
4 – Through suffering: “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect establish, strengthen, settle you” I Pet. 5:10. A part of what God is doing in our lives is through suffering, but it is necessary to what God is doing in our lives. The all wise God, the creator of heaven and earth, knows what He is doing and troubles and trials come our way. God is always wiser than we are. He knows what is best.
5 – Through patience: “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 (lacking) nothing” James 1:2-4. The work God is doing in our lives requires patience. If we are not patient in suffering, (staying in the trials until God delivers), the work will be lacking.
Where was the lack of which Paul spoke? “In your faith.” The body I dwell in will never be perfect - Sin dwells in its members. So where does God want perfection to come? It is our faith, our trust. He wants that to be fully developed and reach a level of perfection. The life that God has called us to live is to be by faith. Gal. 2:20, “the life I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who lived me, and gave himself for me.”
Our faith is being tested – Lk. 22:31-34, the Lord said, “Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not…strengthen thy brethren.” Heb. 13:8, Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today and forever.” Heb. 7:25, “He ever liveth to make intercession for them.” He is praying that my faith fail not, that I will look to him. All God ever called on us to do is to believe Him. Rom. 10:17, “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” For we walk by faith, not by sight” II Cor. 5:7. Heb. 11:1 “faith if the substance (assurance) of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
The flesh was never perfect, but the Old Testament believers of Heb. 11, their faith was made perfect. The Lord Jesus Christ is on one side of the balances, my life is on the other side of the balances, and there is a lack. Through the Word of God, changes are taking place. Faith in God is being developed and that faith is counted to us for righteousness by trusting God (as Abraham did), the balances level because God sees Jesus in us. That alone is His will and purpose for us. The work is complete. He is satisfied. He is glorified.
