A preacher-friend of mine stated one time, “Faithfulness is what you do while you’re being patient for Christ to come again.”
Listen to the words of James in 5:7 – “Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord.”
Keep on being patient or persevering or enduring until Christian character has been perfected. Which basically means “until you die!” There is never a time to despair and give up on being patient or enduring.
Now I want us to examine more closely James 1:9-18…
TRIAL THROUGH POVERTY AND RICHES – 1:9-11:
Every Christian sits in an exalted place in the kingdom of Christ (Eph. 2:6). So any Christian, regardless of earthly success, can rejoice in Christ.
However, the wealthy individual has to “humble himself” in the sight of God (James 4:10) and realize that his wealth does not entitle him to special status or privilege in the church of Christ. Paul wrote that the kingdom was composed of those who were “not wise, not mighty, not noble” (1 Cor. 1:26).
Both poverty and wealth can be a test of our faith. That’s why Solomon wrote: “Keep deception and lies far from me, give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is my portion, that I not be full and deny You and say, “Who is the Lord?” Or that I not be in want and steal, and profane the name of my God” (Prov. 30:8-9).
THE REWARD FOR ENDURING – 1:12:
“Crown of life” is the reward for being approved. “Crown” here is stephanos, the victor’s crown. It is a symbol of achievement in a contest, indicating victory over temptation in this context. Jesus came to give us life, and to give us life abundantly (John 10:10).
LUST – THE SOURCE OF SIN – 1:13-16:
God has honored us with the ability to choose for ourselves. We have the freedom to make good choices and we have the freedom to make bad choices. But the choice is ours. God has given us guidelines, as He did Adam and Eve, to help us make right choices and He urges us to make right choices. But He does not force us to do that.
GOD – THE SOURCE OF ONLY AND ALL GOOD – 1:17-18:
God is not the source of temptations; He is the source of good.
It is through God’s will that we experience the new birth from darkness / ignorance into light / knowledge of salvation. In this way, we can be “firstfruits” of His. That is, we can belong to God. This is God’s purpose for mankind, not destruction.
Embrace trials as means by which God is recreating us in Christ’s image; the reward is the “crown of life.” God does not change; He blessed others, He’ll bless us.
Paul Holland
