TUESDAY, MARCH 17 2014 READING: JAMES 1:12-17 MEDITATION: In the 1996 summer OLYMPICS, sprinter Michael Johnson set records in the 200-meter and 400-meter races. To do so he had trained for some ten years to cut a mere second or two from his time. In Slaying the Dragon he writes: Success is found in much smaller portions than most people realize. A hundredth of a second here or sometimes a tenth there can determine the fastest man in the world. At times we live our lives on a paper-thin-edge that barely separates greatness from mediocrity and success from failure. Life is often compared to a marathon, but I think it is more like being a sprinter: long stretches of hard work punctuated by brief moments in which we are given the opportunity to perform at our best. The Christian life also resembles the life of a sprinter: long stretches of obedience and spiritual disciplines punctuated by great tests in which God gives us the opportunity to choose His eternal best. BECOMING GENUINE, 12b. Stalwart endurance of the trials of life also brings the reward of genuineness as the second part of verse 12 indicates. [Blessed (is the) man who endures temptation,] because after having become genuine, the individual will receive the crown of life. After the proof is victoriously demonstrated, after one is proven, he is approved. The word translated approved (tried, KJV) was used of metals and coins which had been tested and found true or genuine. Here is the outcome of enduring in the forge of trials, becoming a genuine believer, one approved of God. God’s approval of our faith is precious, because it assures us that our little faith is genuine faith. A gold prospector brings a SAMPLE of his ORE into the assayers office to be tested. The sample itself may not be worth more than a few dollars, but the approval, the official statement about the mine the ore came from is worth millions. It assures the prospector that he has a gold mine. God’s approval of our faith is precious because it assures us that our faith is genuine. God samples the worth of our faith through the trials of life. If we persevere in faithfulness to Him and His word it proves our faith is authentic, genuine and more precious than gold. Trials bring blessing because they prove our faith is genuine. God blesses our faith when we trust Him through the trial. God uses trials for the expressed purpose of building our faith and character. Character must be tested to be proven genuine. There is no place for wimps in the development of faith for faith development calls for stamina and courage. A recruiting advertisement for America Marines says they need a few good men that will be tested to see if they have the metal to be Marines. Christians are being tested to see if they have the metal to be matured. The believer is rewarded by growth in Christian character after he has endure the trials or temptations. If our faith is genuine we will live for Christ and His glory, even in trials THE RECEPTION OF THE CROWN OF LIFE (12c). In the final part of verse 12, James says of the believer that, having stood the test, he/she will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. The outcome our endurance and trueness forged in the fire of trials is worthy of great reward. The life that has brought such glory to God will not be forgotten in heaven. He or she will be rewarded with the crown of life. The crown of life is to be interpreted as the crown which consists in life, that is the crown of life (Rev. 2:10). The life is promised to those who love Him. It is the enabling to take hold of life and live it as God would have you. It is being able to enjoy God’s abundant life daily, no matter the outward circumstances. Not only is it full and free spiritual life here and now, it is a reward in heaven also. The greatest reward for those who faithfully endure is a reward that will endure. In the Greek world crowns (head wreaths, chaplets, circlets) were given to athletes victorious in the games (1 Cor. 9:25) and to citizens who distinguished themselves in service. Hence the crown in Greek thought was either a prize of victory or a badge of honor. The Old Testaments speaks of the crown as the mark of royalty (Ps. 21:3) and as a festal ornament (Prov. 1:9). Whereas the athletes have human competitors, the Christian’s adversaries are the powers of darkness trying to drive him off course and keeping him from finishing the contest. In the present passage the crown is a gift of God symbolizing divine approval of a life tested by trial. The crown is the reward of the Christian’s effort against the powers of evil which are no less antagonistic than the athlete’s against his fellow competitors, only that the contest lasts longer. (Other crowns: imperishable crown, 1Cor. 9:25; of exaltation, 1 Thess. 2:19; of Righteousness, 2 Tim. 4:8; of glory,1 Pet. 5:4). Difficulties can get you down. But if you will remain faithful to God your difficulties will give you strength of character so that you will walk confidently with God, prepared for whatever life has in store for you. The way to God’s winner’s circle is by loving Him and staying faithful even under pressure. Have you been faithful under the pressure of trials and tribulations? Or have you been cracking under the weight of these trials? Do you consider your faith to be genuine, tried, tested and true? Are you ready for the crown of life? If the Lord was to come for you today, will you receive the crown of eternal glory? RESOLUTIONS: • Identify ways that you have not been faithful to the Lord in times of trials and tribulations • Put a song of praise on your lips and talk to the Lord about those times
Posted on: Tue, 18 Mar 2014 06:23:54 +0000
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