James 1:12
New Living Translation
12 God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
James 1:12, ESV: “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.” … Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”
Verse Thoughts
It is trials and tribulation in the life of a Christian that refines our trust in God and increases our dependence upon the Lord. The personal difficulties and dangers that we face in our everyday life, and our reaction to the distresses and despair of others is often the determining factor – of whether we hold fast to what we believe of Christ’s sufficient strength.. OR, whether we allow seeds of doubt to darken our hearts to the goodness of God.. and so become tossed to and fro in a sea of uncertainty. But blessed is the man who endures such trials and tribulations, in the power of His might.. because when he passes the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to all who love Him.
We have a vicious enemy that is seeking to shipwreck our faith in the goodness of God.. and his strategy is to plant seeds of doubt in the mind of all believers, so that their life is not fruitful, nor honouring to the Lord Who bought them. But the trials and tribulations that are designed by the enemy to unsteady our faith, can be used as the catalyst to strengthen our trust in God – if we will but persevere in His sufficient strength.. for this brings honour to our Father in heaven, and an eternal reward for those that patiently endure.
We do not have the capacity to stand firm in this evil day in our own strength, but Christ has promised that His grace is sufficient. And when we do hold fast to the precious promises of God and remain anchored to the truth of His holy Word, we will not be tossed about like a frothy wave in a sea of doubt.. but will be anchored to the truth of His sufficient grace.
No matter what the status of a believer is – whether rich or poor, it is imperative that we are rooted and grounded in Christ and not reliant on our own sufficiency and strength. The one that is rich should never trust in his riches but trust in the Lord with all his heart and not rely on his own bank-balance, influence; education or position to hold him steady. Similarly the poor man must never lose sight of the truth that God had given us everything we need for life and godliness and that IN Christ we have been blessed with every spiritual blessing – for greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world.
The difficulties we face in life can trip us up and tempt us into doubt and despair.. but blessed is the man who endures these trials and tribulations.. because when he has passed the test he will receive the magnificent crown of life, which the Lord our God has promised to all who love him. Let us praise God for His goodness and grace and seek to stand firm in Christ and hold fast to the promises of God – for our eternal benefit and to His greater glory.
Source: https://dailyverse.knowing-jesus.com/james-1-12
James 1:12 Meaning of Blessed Is the One Who Perseveres Under Trial
James 1:12
“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”
Explanation and Commentary of James 1:12
Trial is part of life in this fallen world. The only Christians who don’t face trial, even great trials, are those who suddenly die young. It is an evil doctrine that says “Because I am a Christian, I will not ever have to suffer.” That is not a doctrine from the Bible. Christ never said that. Paul never said that. None of the other thirty-nine authors that the Holy Spirit inspired to write Scripture ever said that. The only one who says that is satan and anyone he tricks into preaching his false doctrine of prosperity. It is an evil lie.https://02559e4c24e93b2bb616ed53757ea4e4.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-37/html/container.html
The truth is that even Christ had to suffer. Jesus Christ was born perfect and never sinned, but to be prepared for what God had sent him to do, he had to suffer. Luke 24:26 says it was “necessary.” Hebrews 2:18 says that Christ “suffered” when he was tempted. Hebrews 5:8-9 says, “Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.”
If Christ suffered, why would we not, and for the same reason? Peter said that we are in the furnace of affliction to be purified (1 Pt 1:7). God is our good Father, and a good Father disciplines his children whom he loves (Pr 3:12). If you are not facing trial, you will. Accept it and walk through it faithfully, trusting God and let it do its good work in you.https://02559e4c24e93b2bb616ed53757ea4e4.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-37/html/container.html
Breaking Down the Key Parts of James 1:12
#1 “Blessed is the one…”
Many Christian’s default mode is to see their trial as a curse. Nothing could be further from the truth. Their curse has fallen on Christ, and he has paid the price of it on the cross. There is no more curse. On the contrary; trial for the Christian, especially when not brought about by our own actions, is a blessing from God with great purpose.
#2 “…who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test,”
Trial itself will not offer us anything but misery and a deposit of hell (1 Pt 4:17) if we do not persevere under it. If we melt under trial, then we are like the dross that the trial is meant to cleanse from us. If we undergo fire, and there is nothing left, then there was nothing good to begin with. But if we stand up under the trial and allow God to burn off what is not of him, we will be purified by it.https://02559e4c24e93b2bb616ed53757ea4e4.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-37/html/container.html
#3 “that person will receive the crown of life…”
“The crown of life” seems most likely to be another term for abundant life, eternal life, and heavenly reward. Some make distinctions between different crowns listed in Scripture, but it seems to generally mean eternal reward.
#4 “…that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”
Jesus said that the greatest commandment is to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Mt 22:37). He said that the whole law is summed up in this one command, especially combined with loving your neighbor as yourself. Indeed, can any sin be committed without first breaking this Great Commandment? For those who love the Lord, there is the promise of the “crown of life.”
Living Water Ministries 