THE COMPLETE MAN

BY JONEIL ALCOCK

Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4 (RSV)

The Apostle James, who described himself as “a  servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,” (1) was also the Lord Jesus’ brother. A man who initially was very skeptical about who Jesus was (2) but who history noted became a pillar and leader in the early Christian church. It is an interesting contrast that a man would find fault with his family member then later come to trust him so completely that he reckons he is his “servant” and that through belief in Him despite the trials of life we can be “perfect and complete.”

This is the testimony of Jesus in the life of a believer. He comes in to change a man from the inside out and make him more like Christ; a moving symbol of the One who spent thirty-three years showing just how we should live our lives; a representation of a complete human being interacting and impacting his environment.

However, what does this whole, complete human look like? Christ presents a perfect model of consistency that no man would be able to replicate as a being that was both fully man and fully God, God on Earth, God Incarnate, the Only begotten Son Of the Father (3). However, the TRUTH is that all believers have the Holy Spirit engrafted in them to teach and show them the will of God and allow them to manifest the same sort of things that Jesus did on the Earth.

We can posit that the complete man is one with a body, enhanced by a soul (mind, will, emotions and ambitions) and enlivened by a spirit. This complete man can manifest God’s glory in the full realm of PHYSICAL, MENTAL, EMOTIONAL, SOCIAL, FINANCIAL and SPIRITUAL spaces.

PHYSICAL

Jesus who was the perfect example of the complete man took care of Himself in all these aspects. In terms of the physical, there are numerous examples in scripture that speak to Christ taking care of Himself by ensuring that He ate, moved around (exercised), received air, water and sunshine and slept when necessary. However what is sometimes missed is Christ’s insistence on living a disciplined physical life by fasting regularly. In fact, he mentioned that “when you fast, do not look dismal.” (4) NOT “if” but “when,” meaning that it should be a common practise. This practice has benefits for rejuvenating the body and helping to stave off aging and illness but it also is important spiritually and mentally.

MENTAL

The mind is a fascinating and tantalizing place of study. It is with the mind that we serve the Lord.

“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” Proverbs 23:7
“So then with the mind I myself serve the Law of God.” Romans 7:25

Therefore, it is important that we keep it sharp, focused, overflowing with God’s commandments and willing to do God’s will. Interesting in that latter section of Romans Chapter 7, the Apostle Paul talks repeatedly how he strived to do the things he must and ended up failing sometimes because of his flesh which served “the law of sin.” (5)

It is with our minds that we do battle with the enemy to combat sin and that’s why he will come trying to lodge there with self-pity, condemnation, doubt, negativity, carnal thoughts, pettiness and all evil desires. Jesus showed supreme mental concentration numerous times such as with his battle with the devil in the wilderness during fasting or his reasonings with the scribes and Pharisees who always came questioning and testing Him about the law. What they didn’t realize was that the very wisdom of the ages was before them and that He was the very One who had written the Law.

EMOTIONAL

Some people think the mind and the emotions are the same. They, in actuality, are linked but not the same. Biology and physiology teaches us that our brain, body and glands secrete hormones and chemicals that act on various organs and structures to cause different results.

We feel thirsty or hungry because chemicals are released to induce us to fulfill our need for satiety. We get aroused physically and emotionally when with someone we love or admire. We produce the flight or fight response when presented with danger.

What many researchers are now beginning to realize is that we can control these biochemical responses. Our emotions are not meant for us to be swayed by anywhich and anywhere. We can control anger, fear, worry, anxiety, sexual desire and even hunger (hence the possibility of fasting).

The controlled man, Jesus Christ, had a date with destiny over two millenia ago and passionately called out to the Father to “let this cup pass from me” (6). Luke’s version of the Garden of Gethsemane scene reveals that the agony was so great that His sweat was like drops of blood (7). Yet he subdued and humbled Himself and completed the required task, so that we can be free and saved today. We should think about that whenever we feel anxious or forlorn. God always has a plan for us and there may never be something as horrific as a crucifixion on a Roman cross waiting for us on the other die of our fear.

Christ was also very controlled in his speech and show of anger. There were many profound things he said which people repeat regularly today for wisdom and instruction. His anger also usually came only due to righteous indignation (see driving sellers out of the temple (8), contention with scribes (9), and the Lecture of Seven Woes (10)).

SOCIAL

Jesus was someone who took part in social events. There were many examples of Him in situations such as weddings, feasts, dinners and meals in the Jewish tradition such as the Passover. However, he chose to particularly show compassion and kindness to women, children and the outcasts of the day (eg. Tax collectors, prostitutes and lepers). Sometimes it is not in our usual family and traditional situations that we get to show the love of Christ but among those who are marginalized, forgotten or downtrodden.

In one of His more vivid illustrations of what the kingdom of heaven was like, Jesus depicted those who are hungry, thirsty, a stranger, naked, sick or in prison as the ones who those of the kingdom should associate with (11).

FINANCIAL

Aside from warning  about the punishment, actuality and finality of an eternal hell, the peace of the eternal kingdom of heaven and virtues of living a holy life, Jesus spoke a lot when he was on Earth about money. One of the sections during His sermon on the mount, talks about not worrying what you will eat or drink or wear because all these things can be provided for you (12). In fact He stated, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33).

Jesus in his earthly ministry depended on the generosity of others, many times dining at people’s homes and even taught the disciples similarly when they first went out to minister (13). He had a totally different response to finances when he regarded the widow’s mite as more valuable than other offerings at the temple (14).

However the easiest example of the lure of money came as Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. The same man who was the treasurer for the earthly ministry of Christ became seduced and unfortunately hung himself after he realized the folly of his deeds. Money is an important resource or tool to assist us to carry out our daily tasks and help others on life’s journey but it should NEVER be worshipped (15).

SPIRITUAL

The spirit man or inner man is where God resides. It is where we get strength to fight sin and temptation in the world. It is there that we combat the wiles of the enemy (16) and strive to do the will of God. It is our spirits that we use to commander our body and soul to do things which it does not want to do but MUST.

Jesus, as our supreme example, did many things to keep that flame of the spirit active and enlarged. As mentioned before, He fasted, but He also knew the word of God (at the time the scriptures encompassed the Torah and the prophets – Old Testament), prayed often, taught the word and fellowshipped with others. He also had a clear purpose and vision for His life led by the urgings from the Father.

All these are similarly important in our own spiritual walk. We are not only a physical being but a spiritual one as well. We are not a body with a spirit, but a spiritual being inhabiting a body.

“What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (KJV)

(1) James 1:1
(2) Mark 3:21
(3) John 1:1-5
(4) Matthew 6:16
(5) Romans 7:14-25
(6) Matthew 26:39
(7) Luke 22:42-45
(8) Matthew 21:12-13
(9) Mark 3:1-5; Luke 6:6-11; Matthew 12:9-13
(10) Matthew 23
(11) Matthew 25:31-46
(12) Matthew 6:25-34
(13) Matthew 10:9-13
(14) Luke 21:1-4
(15) Matthew 6:24; 1 Timothy 6:5-10
(16) 2 Corinthians 10:4-5