4. Crown of Life – Sacrifice – PART 5

4. Crown of Life – Sacrifice (James 1:12; Revelation 2:10) – PART 5

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.”

We have an appointment with the Lord someday. God help us to surrender our all to Him. There is a story that comes to us from India. A beggar saw a wealthy prince come toward him, riding in his beautiful chariot. The beggar took the opportunity and stood by the side of the road holding out his bowl of rice, hoping for a handout. To his surprise, the prince stopped, looked at the beggar, and said, "Give me some of your rice!" The beggar was furious. To think that this wealthy prince would expect his rice! Gingerly, he gave him one grain of rice. "Beggar, give me more of your rice!" In anger, the beggar gave him another grain of rice. "More please!" By now the beggar was seething with resentment and bitterness. Once again, he stingily gave the prince another grain of rice and then walked away. As the chariot went on its way, the beggar, in his fury, looked into his bowl of rice. He noticed something glitter. It was a grain of gold the size of a grain of rice. He looked more carefully and found two more. For every grain of rice he gave to the prince he received a grain of gold. If we clutch our bowl of rice, we shall lose our reward. If we are faithful and give God each grain, He gives us gold in return. The gold that God gives will survive His testing fire.

This crown doesn't represent eternal life because our salvation is not based on works (Ephesians 2:8-9). James is referring to rewards based on works or how we respond to our trials and temptations. This crown will be won by those who dare to go against the world, flesh, and the Devil, and do not yield to the power of temptations. We are to remain steadfast. God has a purpose for your trials. God will reward you with “a crown of life”. We are not to give up. Remember it is the fire that refines the gold. This involves persecution and martyrdom. When such a person has stood the test, he will receive the victor's crown. Beyond the cross of trial is the crown of life. This crown is promised and rewarded for those who persevere under trials, not for those who flee from them.

Only trials can develop our patience. God had to try Joseph for thirteen years before he could trust him on the throne. David went through many difficulties before God could put him on the throne. Do you love God enough to grow and stay strong in the trials of life? Complaining is a neon sign that we are lacking in maturity. Love looks at the promises and sees God as just.

The strength to persevere under trials comes from the love of Christ. You might expect James to say, “the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who persevere”, or “to those who obey”, or “to those who believe in Him”. But rather, he says, “to them that love Him”. Why does he say this? Perhaps it is because love for Christ keeps us from loving the world. Love for Christ motivates us to persevere under trials. Our love for Christ does not exempt us from trials. Rather, it gives us the strength to persevere.

We are blessed by God when we allow the Lord Jesus to so indwell us that He enables us to resist the temptations that we face. We cannot stand against temptation in our own strength. Every trial, every encounter, every disappointment, every point of pressure is an opportunity for God to reveal His power in our lives. He knows that God is looking after and caring for him and is going to deliver him from all the corruption and evil of this life including death, and give him life eternal.

Points to Ponder:

• Trials make our love for the Lord show and grow, or tilt and wilt.
• Trials make us better people, or bitter people.
• God's purpose for allowing trials in this life is to produce spiritual growth and maturity.
• Jesus is glorified and honored when we stand strong against temptations.
• The person who endures trials and temptations is the person who will be blessed and receive the crown of life.

Questions to Consider:

• Does my commitment to Christ prove the reality of my relationship with Christ?
• How do I respond to the problems I do face?
• How is this love reflected in my life?
• How much do I think about eternity and the coming of Christ?
• Am I so involved in the world’s system that I think very little about my ultimate hope?

Thank you for reading this devotion. This is PART FIVE of this series. Please visit the website tomorrow for PART SIX.

PRAYER: Father, help me to lose my will that I may find Your will. Strengthen me to serve You and give me the wisdom that I may honor You with the choices I make. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!

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