Word@Work James7 - James 1:12
Published: Wed, 02/18/09
Word@Work from BeaconLight
MOTIVATIONAL PROMISES
James 1:12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. (NIV)
Giving-up is easy, but perseverance is difficult. James has already told us that God allows our faith to be tested so that we can develop perseverance (James 1:3); and that without it, no Christian can grow to maturity (James 1:4). Now he says that God will bless the person who keeps holding onto Jesus by faith, despite all the trials. Indeed, without enduring the tests, this special blessing cannot be given! A blessing is not just a nice thought, but God's powerful word which promises to do the person good in the future. That future starts when Jesus returns, and He rewards those who have stood firm through the trials because they were trusting in His promises.
The 'crown of life' is best pictured as the laurel garland given to Olympic champions. Its value is not in itself, but in what it represents. Olympic heroes are made by years of exhausting, muscle-aching, mind-focussing self-denial - in order to become the best that they can be. And they do it for the honour and pleasure of their country. Heaven's laurels are awarded after a lifetime of self-sacrifice in honour of the King of heaven - and it is Jesus who personally expresses His pleasure in welcoming home those who have run the race well (cf 2 Tim 4:7-8).
God's training programme for us will include the many difficulties we face at work and in the community, at home and with our finances, and also with our health and even persecution. Yet each trial is designed to enable us to trust Jesus and refuse to retreat. But what motivates the embattled believer to keep holding firm to Christ? There are two great incentives: the inner conviction that we really do love Jesus and we must not let Him down; and the promise of blessing spoken over us, that He will personally reward every faithful Christian with expressions of His pleasure that will last for ever (cf Ps 16:11). Think about it, and it will shape the way you deal with troubles today!
Prayer: Dear Lord God. I do not like the trials which you allow to come my way, but I do love You. I want to trust You that each of these testings are for my good, so that I can be to the praise of Your glory. Help me to understand enough of Your purpose in training my faith to be strong, that I will look forward eagerly to the day when you are ready to reward me. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and Spanish
Giving-up is easy, but perseverance is difficult. James has already told us that God allows our faith to be tested so that we can develop perseverance (James 1:3); and that without it, no Christian can grow to maturity (James 1:4). Now he says that God will bless the person who keeps holding onto Jesus by faith, despite all the trials. Indeed, without enduring the tests, this special blessing cannot be given! A blessing is not just a nice thought, but God's powerful word which promises to do the person good in the future. That future starts when Jesus returns, and He rewards those who have stood firm through the trials because they were trusting in His promises.
The 'crown of life' is best pictured as the laurel garland given to Olympic champions. Its value is not in itself, but in what it represents. Olympic heroes are made by years of exhausting, muscle-aching, mind-focussing self-denial - in order to become the best that they can be. And they do it for the honour and pleasure of their country. Heaven's laurels are awarded after a lifetime of self-sacrifice in honour of the King of heaven - and it is Jesus who personally expresses His pleasure in welcoming home those who have run the race well (cf 2 Tim 4:7-8).
God's training programme for us will include the many difficulties we face at work and in the community, at home and with our finances, and also with our health and even persecution. Yet each trial is designed to enable us to trust Jesus and refuse to retreat. But what motivates the embattled believer to keep holding firm to Christ? There are two great incentives: the inner conviction that we really do love Jesus and we must not let Him down; and the promise of blessing spoken over us, that He will personally reward every faithful Christian with expressions of His pleasure that will last for ever (cf Ps 16:11). Think about it, and it will shape the way you deal with troubles today!
Prayer: Dear Lord God. I do not like the trials which you allow to come my way, but I do love You. I want to trust You that each of these testings are for my good, so that I can be to the praise of Your glory. Help me to understand enough of Your purpose in training my faith to be strong, that I will look forward eagerly to the day when you are ready to reward me. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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