ASSURED TO RECEIVE THE CROWN OF LIFE
“CONSIDER IT PURE JOY, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,” (James 1:2) [“Pure joy” is not the phrase that normally comes to mind when we are facing trials and temptations, so why do we have to face them?] “BECAUSE you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance (grit, determination). Let perseverance finish its work so that you MAY BE MATURE AND COMPLETE, NOT LACKING ANYTHING.” (James 1:3-4) [Trials put our faith, and all the graces given to us TO PROOF; the fact that we can stand in these trials gives proof that the salvation Jesus has “purchased” for us is sound! The end result of these “challenges” help to establish us in the faith and complete us for our services the Lord has called us to preform!] “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and IT WILL BE GIVEN TO YOU.” (James 1:5) [Wisdom indicates in general knowledge of the greatest finish, and the best means of attaining it; but in Scripture it signifies the same as true religion, the in-depth hands-on knowledge of God, of our own self, and of Jesus Christ our Lord.] “But when you ask, YOU MUST BELIEVE AND NOT DOUBT, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” (James 1:6) [The man who is not carefully convinced that if he ask of God HE SHALL RECEIVE, resembles a wave of the sea; constantly in a state of continual agitation; driven by the wind, and tossed: now increasing by hope, then plummeted by despair.] “That person should not expect TO RECEIVE ANYTHING from the Lord.” (James 1:7) [The person with a divided mind, who is not properly convinced either of his own wants or God’s abundance. That person may pray, but having no faith, they can get no answer from God.] “Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.” (James 1:8) [A man of this character is constantly unfocused; he will neither let earth nor heaven go, and yet our Abba Father wants our focus to be on Him!] “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” (James 1:12)
Be blessed as you praise The Lord, knowing that WE WILL RECEIVE THE CROWN OF LIFE THAT THE LORD HAS PROMISED TO THOSE WHO LOVE HIM!
-Bill Stockham
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