Scripture speaks of four types of people in the world. The four types can be visualized as being a 2x2 matrix where on one side they are listed as either a believer or an unbeliever and on the other side either knowing the truth or not knowing the truth (deceived). Thus, the four types can be characterized as either 1) A believer who knows the truth 2) A believer who does not know the truth 3) An unbeliever who knows the truth (about his spiritual condition) 4) An unbeliever who does not know the truth (about his spiritual condition).
Examples: Those in the first category are spiritually mature Christians, aka perfected saints. Those in the second category are spiritually immature Christians, aka little children. Those in the third category are those who reject God (atheists). Those in the fourth catagory are all others.
Theologians and religious leaders don't understand how believers are perfected or even what it means, because they were/are either category 2 or category 4 themselves, but the answer was always there in Scripture (James 1:2-4).
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perserverance. Perserverance must finish it's work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." NIV
Spiritual maturity is not becoming more holy and it is not attained by avoidance of sin. Spiritual maturity is the receiving of wisdom and understanding of the Word of God, is a "reward" for perseverance through trials of our faith and attained by discernment through the teaching of the in-dwelling Holy Spirit.
The MacArthur Study Bible on page 1924 states, "Therefore, James can be reliably dated ca. A.D. 44-49, making it the earliest written book of the NT canon." Thus, this doctrine of perfection (how we are made spiritually mature) was the first written statement of the Christian Church.
We are made spiritually mature (perfected) by enduring trials of our faith or through perseverance. A believer can decide to not endure the trial of his faith (not perservere), but will then stifle his own spiritual maturity. This is what was happening to the Laodicians leading to their condemnation by Christ (Rev. 3:14-22) and I hope explains "conditional perseverance."
