Read with Me
James 1:12 (HCSB)
A man who endures trials is blessed, because when he passes the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.
Listen with Me
James finishes his encouragement to those who are experiencing trials and tribulations with a benediction. The one who is truly blessed is not the one who is going through trials and persecutions, but it is the one who perseveres and who comes through to the other side, whether in this world or the next, without giving up or giving in.
This attitude of perseverance is eloquently captured in the spiritual fruit of patience (Galatians 5:22). Patience is never spoken of as a spiritual gift, something bestowed on some but not others, or something to be sought and prayed for. Instead, patience is listed as one of the Fruit of the Spirit, a natural outgrowth of the Holy Spirit living in a person’s heart.
The other misunderstanding is due to a shift in the meaning of words. Many today think of patience as the ability to walk through challenging situations without being bothered by them, of simply being able to walk through trials and even torture with a little saintly smile on your face and an aura of calm.
But that has very little to do with what Paul described to the Galatians. The word that he used was macrothumia, more accurately translated as long-suffering. This is the ability to go through a challenge, even an excruciatingly painful one like persecution, loss, torture, and even a cross, without giving up or giving in. A more accurate translation today would be perseverance, stick-to-itiveness, or grit.
This is what James is describing here too. It is not the one who doesn’t suffer under trials who is promised the crown of life, the one who seems impervious to pain. It is the one who never gives up, who never turns away from God, no matter how hot the fire becomes, no matter how high the pressure that is applied, no matter how much shame and disgrace is piled on. Their love for God, their love for Jesus and their solid commitment to God’s agenda fortifies them and gives them a supernatural spiritual fortitude, perseverance, grit that enables them to stand firm and shine. Even their suffering, even their death becomes a powerful testimony to who God is and what He can do.
Pray with Me
Father, in many places, including in America, we have been taught that a trouble-free, pain-free, suffering-free, life is the sure sign of Your blessing, and that pain, suffering and persecution shows that something has gone wrong. But that is the exact opposite of what You teach in Your word. Over and over again, from the beginning of the Old Testament through the end of Revelation, we are shown that to stand for the light in the midst of the darkness will bring attacks from those who love the dark. The true blessing is not in the lack of pain along the way, but in the crown of glory when this life is over. It is not in a lack of persecution, but in Your eternal presence with us in the midst of the suffering, and Your divine power to keep our hold on You all the way to the finish line. Help me, Lord, to live in this promise every day, all the rest of my life. Amen.