James 1:12 | Stand The Test
James 1:12 NIV says, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”
No one enjoys the trial when it happens, but it is much worse to get to the end of a challenge and realize you wasted the opportunity for growth and threw away the reward. Going to the gym every morning is a good idea if you want to get in shape, but if you eat a few donuts and a sugary latte on the way there every day, you are putting yourself through the stress of exercise without cause.
Life comes with trials, and following Jesus does not exempt us from suffering. Almost certainly, it means that we will suffer more for the kingdom of God. That was certainly true when James was writing his letter. The early church faced massive persecution and trial, which Peter addresses in his letters. To follow The Way in the early years of the church meant, in one way or another, you were risking your life for the sake of the gospel.
Most of us can’t even wrap our heads around that. We didn’t accept Jesus in the face of imminent threat. We didn’t bring our kids to church, knowing that marked them as enemies of the state. Most of us came to church because it was comfortable, we enjoyed the social activity, or a compelling service was happening. Until recently, being a Christian in America was widely accepted, if not promoted.
I’m not trying to say our faith is diluted or false, but it is essential to recognize that it can be challenging to understand verses like James 1:12. Can we really understand what it means to persevere for the gospel?
Perhaps some of us have faced situations where this has been the case. And while we have not yet faced severe persecution or trial for our faith, we have faced other trials such as personal loss, relational tension, or the consequences of sin. How have we learned to respond to trials? Do we know how to persevere?
James says that the reward comes from God’s promise of eternal life. The crown of life is the marker of our acceptance into the heavenly family of God. The enemy is ready in the wings to speak lies into our trials. He wants to derail, depress, and distract us from the call to follow God. He knows that we can do all things through Christ, so he wants to cut us short with deception.
Understand this morning that the key to perseverance is knowing God intimately. Learning to know God is the path to overcoming trials and pressing onward. I think of what Jesus said in John 14:21. He said, “Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”
The invitation today is to open your heart to the Lord. Listen for his voice and follow his commands. As you grow closer to the heart of God, you will be more prepared to persevere, stand the test, and receive the crown of life.
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