A Crown Or A Grave?

"Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am being tempted by God,' for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death." - James 1:12-15

Please pray this morning for the body of Christ and encouragement for them as they persevere through trials.

After James has talked about the importance of wisdom, faithful prayer, humility in Christ, and confidence in Christ during times of trial, he now moves back to the same focus he had in verses 2 through 4 saying, "Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him." James is reminding the reader of the focal point of what he has written so far in this chapter, but he also makes some new points with this one verse. Firstly, in verse 2, James was pretty clearly referring to trials that come throughout life: "when you meet trials of various kinds." But if you look closely enough in this verse, you will notice something different: James refers to receiving the crown of life. The crown of life is a reference to the reward that Christians receive at the end of their life, namely, eternal life with God. The ESV Study Bible comments, "Crown of life alludes not to the jewel encrusted ruler's crown but to the laurel wreath given to winners in athletic games and victorious emperors." But this reward does not come until we have died and passed from this life, therefore we can assume that James is now talking about the test of life rather than the tests of life. In other words, James is indirectly asking the reader, "how did you spend your life?" For all of life is a test as is clearly pointed out in this passage, and if we are steadfast in the faith through life than we will receive the reward. The obvious implication that those who are faithful in life receive the reward is that those who aren't faithful will not receive the reward; a beautiful but terrifying statement all at once.

"Let no one say when he is being tempted, 'I am being tempted by God,' for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one." At first glance, James seems to make an abrupt turn in subject from, remain steadfast, to, God doesn't tempt anyone. However, it seems logical that the subject brought to James' mind, after he wrote about receiving the promise of those who love God, is the very thing that could keep someone from receiving that promise: temptation and sin. There is a very serious question here regarding God's sovereignty that needs to be addressed. The Bible teaches clearly that God has ordained everything that happens (1 Samuel 2:6-7, Proverbs 16:9, Psalms 105:24, Isaiah 6:10, Isaiah 63:17, John 13:18, Romans 1:21-25, Proverbs 16:4), including the lives of people and their sin. Is James in stark disagreement with the rest of the scriptures? Look again my friends. James merely makes the point that God tempts no one; he does not disagree with foreordination. Someone is asking, "If God planned for people to sin, doesn't that mean he tempted them?" Absolutely not. They are tempted by themselves. God just planned for such temptation to take place, that does not mean that the temptation did not originate in peoples minds, it means that God planned for it to originate in peoples minds. However, these are two truths of scripture that are impossible for finite creatures to completely reconcile; both truths must be accepted and applied. God did plan, and man is responsible.

"But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death." The word "desire" that James uses in this passage means "passionate longing." As I pointed out in the last paragraph, sin is birthed when people focus on their own desires or passionate longings. If we pursue this desire, it will end in sin, and if we pursue sin, it will end in death; in contrast to ending with a crown of life. There is a choice to be made here: that of death or life? It is a simple choice, but not in practice. For the only true decision is one that is followed by actions. My beloved friends, remember to live for Christ daily and do not let temptation overcome you. The battle is against your own flesh; you can pursue your own fleshly desires or Christ, but not both. A crown or a grave? The choice is yours.