STANDING THE TEST

James 1:12

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

None of us are immune from trouble and adversity in this life, and I don’t know anyone in their right mind who welcomes or enjoys trouble. I know that I have a hard time dealing with adversity and conflict. I seek to avoid trouble if at all possible. Most of us are probably in that category.

I. The Biblical Instruction for Trials (12a)—Blessed is the man that endureth temptation:

A. The Burden of Trials—Once again James is speaking of temptation. Clearly this is an issue the early church dealt much with, and he has dealt with it extensively in his opening comments. We must bear in mind the true meaning of temptation within this context. James isn’t speaking of temptations as we generally think of them. This is speaking of “a trial, test, adversity, or burden through which we are tested and proven.”

B. The Boldness in Trials (12a)—Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: James reveals that we are expected to endure trials as they come our way. That is an interesting aspect. The word endureth is the verb form of the noun, patience.

This has the idea of “abiding or staying while under a trial or temptation.”

▪ Human nature wants to flee or escape the trials we face, but we are instructed to stand our ground and remain steadfast in the midst of trials. If we are to endure, we must maintain a proper perspective. Often we want to tell God how big our troubles are rather than telling our troubles how big our God is.

C. The Blessing from Trials (12)—Blessed is the man that endureth temptation:for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him

Blessed are the poor in spirit; Blessed are they that mourn; Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake.

▪ What a blessing that is when we take a moment to consider it. We have all been let down and disappointed by broken promises at some point in life.

▪ We also notice this promise is guaranteed to those that love Him. It is promised to those who have trusted Christ as their Lord and Savior.

EXTRACTS

“Blessed”; that is, already blessed. They are not miserable as the world judgeth them. It is a Christian paradox, wherein there is an allusion to what is said (Job 5:17). “Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth”; it is a wonder, and therefore he calleth the world to see it. Behold! So the apostle, in an opposition to the judgment of the world, saith, Blessed.