A Few Thoughts on the Epistle of James—James 1:12

D3 Believers Should Remain Steadfast in Faith While in Trials James 1:12

James 1:12 WEL Blessed [is] the man who patiently endures temptation, for when he has passed the test, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love him.

Blessed= Happiness is the Greek word μακάριος makários. We looked at that word in James 1:2.

Patiently endures=

• This is the Greek word ὑπομένω hypoménō.
• It means
  • To remain, stay behind (Acts 17:14)
  • To persevere, stay in faith, etc. (James 5:12)
  • To calmly endure a trying situation (1 Peter 2:20, Hebrews 12:2)
• Note, it is to patiently endure. God gives us grace for this. Grace is the strength and ability to do God’s will.

Temptation=

• This is the Greek word πειρασμός peirasmós that we discussed in James 1:2
• The Lord Jesus understands for He was tempted, too, yet without sin. (Luke 22:28).
• God is full of mercy to endure and provide a way out of the temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13).
• Those who have a desire to be rich often fall into this temptation (1 Timothy 6:9).
• We can rejoice that our God, knows how to deliver us from temptation. He can provide a way out through His grace (2 Peter 2:9).

Crown of life=

• Crowns
  • Crown of glory: 1 Peter 5:4
  • Crown of righteousness: 2 Timothy 4:8
  • Crown of life: James 1:12, Revelation 2:10
  • Crown of rejoicing (soul winner's crown): 1 Thessalonians 2:19
  • Often another crown is mentioned, but to me all the crowns listed above are eternal and imperishable: 1 Corinthians 9:24-25
• God gives these rewards because
  • He is kind.
  • He says He will.
  • He recognizes our level of love and priority for God and His ways. Are we loyal? John 15:8-10
  • Those who receive crowns do so because they believed God and did His ways (with the help of His grace). Hebrews 11:6
  • We are in a race, so will we run to the goal or give up? Hebrews 12:1-2
  • God rewards faithfulness: Hebrews 3:14
  • The start is important, but so is the ending: Luke 9:62

Promised= His word is good. It will happen. He does not say when, but it will happen.

Love Him=

• Love= This is the Greek word ἀγαπάω agapáō. It is the love of choice, not necessarily emotion.
• We show we love God:
  • By obeying His commandments in the New Testament (John 15:10, 1 John 5:2-3)
  • Remaining steadfast and true to Him and His kingdom (Colossians 1:23, Hebrews 3:14). For Christians, this is knowing and believing the Gospel, knowing His teachings (doctrine) and why, and knowing His lifestyle that He lived and wants us to live and why.

Questions

• What is the importance of testing?
• Why does God give crowns?
• How do we love God today?