Last 5 Days
The crown of life
9 Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, 10 and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. 11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.
12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. 18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
James summarised his exhortation thus far in verse 12, calling brothers and sisters who have persevered when they encountered trials, blessed. And they are blessed because of the future reward that they will receive, the crown of life, which God has promised to those who stand firm under trial and to those who love Him. The full effect of steadfastness is maturity in our faith, the fullness of loving God is intimacy in our relationship with Him. Maturity in our faith, and love for God, manifests in our actions. Blessed is the man who is after God’s own purpose and brings forth the love of God to others.
At the same time, James reminded his readers that God is not the source of temptations, and He does not tempt anyone. Instead, God is the Father of the heavenly lights, and who gives good and perfect gifts – He gives wisdom, He gives life, and He gives us the word of truth, so that that we may be the firstfruits of whom He had created, to develop into what God calls us to be. Hence, when we are tempted, we should not attribute our being tempted to God. Instead, we are the ones who are responsible for giving in to temptation and for following the desires within us, desires that may lead us away from God. How then can we live this life filled with temptations? James tells us that God has given us a choice. He has given us the word of truth which gives life, and His redemption plan continues until the day He comes again. The question is whether we will choose to follow God, and in doing so choose life, or choose to give in to our desires and in doing so choose to walk away from God?
Dear brothers and sisters, today, will you choose life? Will you choose to follow God? Blessed are we who are after God’s heart, God’s will, and God’s purpose. The reward, the crown of life, that God has promised when we choose to follow Him is the reward that we need to keep our eyes on as we run this race of life. May we be encouraged to press on forward, keeping our eyes on the reward, and not be distracted by temptations that are around us. None of us are perfect, but all of us can press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Press on!
