“The Blessing of Endurance”
Review
Today we move on in our journey thought James. James wrote to bring clarity to the life of faith. Many assert they live by faith. Many claim they trust God but their response to various circumstances in life demonstrates otherwise. James serves as a spiritual mirror that honestly evaluates how a person who claims to live their life by trust in Jesus should be responding to life. James began with the thing that continually tests our faith – trials.
James called them “various trials” that we “encounter” in a broken world. So far, we have explored four instructions regarding life’s trials.
I. Faith’s response to trials 1:2-18
A. Consider it all Joy knowing trials produce endurance.
B. Continue enduring knowing endurance produces maturity
C. Confidently ask God for wisdom knowing He will give it.
James expanded on a specific trial commonly encountered by his readers. For most everyone, material wealth can be a test of genuine faith. It is a test for those who have it and those who don’t. Both need to maintain an eternal perspective on material wealth.
D. Focus on your spiritual riches. (Instruction #4)
The poor are to glory in the exalted position of spiritual wealth. The rich are to glory in the humility necessary to possess spiritual wealth. The insight connected to his admonition to rich had to do with the possession of temporal riches without eternal relationship. The rich man without eternal relationship must realize that not only is his wealth temporal but so is he. Regarding material wealth…Don’t desire it or depend on it.
Regarding spiritual wealth i.e. relationship with Jesus… Desire it above all. Depend on it always.
In the middle of his discussion of genuine faith’s response under testing, James included an insight that serves as an incentive to endurance. The key faith response to testing seems to be joyful endurance.
E. God rewards endurance 1:12
Blessed is a man who endures trial; for having been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. James 1:12
Earlier, James urged them to continue enduring because it produces spiritual maturity and stability. In this verse, James urged endurance because God rewards endurance. Here is the gist of the passage.
God rewards (blesses) the one who endures testing or trials.
God promises the crown of life to those who pass the test (get approved).
This promise applies to all those who love God.
James provided incentive to endure by looking to the reward for passing the test. The key words in this verse are “blessed” “endure” and “approved”. Blessing or reward comes to the approved who endure trial. God rewards the approved with the “crown of life”.
“Blessed” is the word “to become large or long.” It references the extension of God’s favor and benefits.
Some translated it happy. The meaning goes way beyond a feeling of happiness generated by positive external circumstances.
Jesus, in the sermon on the mount, listed some actions generating blessing.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:3-12
God blesses the one who endures trial. He is blessed “because” he receives a reward for passing the test.
The term translated “approved” is not complicated. In Bible times, it referred to the testing of a coin to prove it genuine. Today we “test” paper money to prove it is not counterfeit. The educational system tests to determine proficiency in a subject and rewards passing a test with a grade, certificate or degree. The state administers State Board Exams to determine proficiency and provides a certificate of “approval” upon successful completion of the test. It was also used to indicate the process by which metal is purified / refined.
God allows tests to determine the genuineness of our faith. Are we really living by faith? Does our response to trials demonstrate genuine trust in God? James’ whole letter offers numerous tests to determine true trust in God.
The criteria for “approval” and for the blessing of reward is endurance of the trial. God blesses the one who endures the trial. Some questions need to be considered concerning this passage. Is this endurance of individual trials or endurance to the end? Is this “crown of life” a present reward or eternal reward? Commentators advocate both views.
I have trouble connecting eternal life with enduring a trial. Eternal life is a free gift on the basis of belief in Jesus. It does not depend on my work but His. It does not depend on my ability to endure a trial but His saving work.
He who has the Son has life.
The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life.
Whoever believes in Him shall have eternal life.
I believe that while there are rewards awaiting us in the afterlife for how we lived in this life, that is not in view here. While the Bible talks about ultimate endurance to the end, I don’t believe that is what is in mind here. The one enduring the test will earn approval and will be rewarded with the crown of life. Approval for endurance results in reward which is considered a blessing. Approval comes from passing the test; enduring the trial. This approved person stands in contrast to the godless rich man who disappears and the one who fall to temptation in the passage ahead. I assume that failing to endure the trial with the proper response earns no reward. Somehow it makes a difference when we fail the test.
We live in a culture where everyone gets a trophy no matter their level of participation; win or lose.
God only rewards those who, in fact, pass the test. God doesn’t issue participation trophies. True faith sees it through to the end. We are not rewarded for facing testing but finishing testing.
Definition of endurance.
Faith generated endurance is the decision to continue pursuing and doing what we know is right before God (God’s will), despite my feelings, or fatigue and despite any impulse to escape, grumble, or crumble under the test.
Such endurance is not a tooth-gritting determination to slug it out but a decision to submit to whatever God want to develop in my life. Endurance is the ability to respond as Christ would respond with love and a servant's heart despite the pressure to pop. Endurance is refusing to take the fleshly escapes offered by the evil one and, drawing on the enabling power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, respond to the situation according to the principle of sacrificial love and acceptance. It is that kind of endurance that James, Paul and Peter wrote brings spiritual maturity. They all urge us to rejoice at the prospect of growing through tribulation. Such maturity will bring about the intended result.
God offers no reward for quitters.
If we died with Him, we shall also live with Him;
If we endure, we shall also reign with Him;
If we deny Him, He also will deny us;
If we are faithless, He remains faithful; for He cannot deny Himself. 2 Tim 2:11-13
James wrote about the person who endures trial and passes the test. Trial can be anything in life that brings discomfort or pressure. James called it “various trials”. It can be negative external circumstances i.e. flat tire, physical illness, financial crisis, unexpected expense, getting older, lost job, bad news, life tragedies. It could be negative internal struggles i.e. depression, feeling of rejection, discouragement, worry, fear, anxiety, loneliness.
It could be difficult relational conflicts i.e. rejection, verbal wounds, offenses. Bitterness and unforgiveness, jealousy, anger. Most of the admonitions in the New Testament have to do with our relationship with people.
Tribulations are those actions of people or those events of life that produce physical, psychological, spiritual pain and/or pressure in my life. What does God promise his beloved children for passing the test? What happens when we pass the test and respond to any of these life trials according to God’s will?
We receive the “crown of life”. The image readily recognized by the original readers as the prize for winning the race in the Olympic games. The winners were honored and praised. Their deeds were heralded and chronicled so that future generations could appreciate their accomplishments. Paul talked about rewards in the race of life.
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 2 Timothy 2:5
For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:6-8
John spoke of a crown of life promised to the church at Smyrna for keeping faithful to the end.
Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. Revelation 2:9-10
Do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. Hebrews 10:35-36
What if we don’t endure? We won’t receive the promise related to endurance. I believe the reward for enduring trials is increased quality of life. Endurance brings stability, maturity, contentment.
Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Galatians 6:7-9
You can’t live any way you want and expect to reap the benefits of living according to God’s standard. In the next section James describes the path to death rather than life. What happens when we succumb to temptation?
If you endure testing and temptation you experience new dimensions of life. If you succumb to testing and temptation you experience death. The life of the enduring Christian shines like a victory crown to those who observe. There’s something about their character and way of life observable to others. It is the life of Jesus emanating from their life. Like the chronical of victors of the Olympic games, Hebrews chronicles people of faith who endured. Like the glow on the face of Moses after he descended the mountain of God, the believer who endures the trials of this life according to God’s ways shines with Jesus.
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you. 2 Corinthians 4:6-12
Jesus modeled such endurance.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:1-11
Paul prayed for it.
And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and long-suffering with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. Col 1:9-12
How does one who exhibits genuine faith respond to trials?
They consider it joy because the provide opportunity to develop endurance.
They continue to endure because it develops maturity, stability and contentment.
They confidently seek wisdom for God for how to live godly.
The keep their focus on the spiritual wealth in Jesus.
They understand that God blesses those enduring the tests of this life.
The blessing of approval.
The blessing of a higher quality of life.
God promises blessing and reward both now and hereafter.
Scripture insists on endurance.
You have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. Hebrews 10:36
Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, endure tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:11-12
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 Corinthians 13:7
Where do I find the resources to endure through the trial?
God promises the necessary resources to endure the trial.
You have not received a temptation, but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13
Notice, God doesn’t always promise to remove testing but enables us to endure it.
Think about the things you are facing.
Circumstance
Internal struggles
Relational struggles.
Do you know God’s will? Are you responding according to God’s will?
You have need of endurance so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what has been promised – life instead of death, light instead of darkness, contentment instead of covetousness, rest instead of restlessness; peace instead of chaos.
Prayer for the Chico Family
May we be filled with the knowledge of Your will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to live in a manner worthy of the You, fully pleasing to You, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in our knowledge of You being strengthened with all power, according to Your glorious might, for all endurance and long-suffering with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. Col 1:9-12
