It Will Be Worth It All If You Endure
“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. And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else.” James 1:12-13, NLT
Both the Old Testament and the New Testament speak many times on the subjects of testing and temptation. These words can also be rendered, provoke, snare, trial, and temp.
Many times, God gets blamed for the trials or troubles or temptations that come into our life but verse 13 in James chapter 1 clearly reminds us of the fact that God cannot be tempted nor does He ever tempt us. For Him to do that would go against everything scripture has taught us about the God that loves us.
For me, the most important part of these two verses is the fact that if we endure the trials and the temptations of this life, we will receive the “Crown Of Life”. The crown itself will be the gift of life. Not this life for sure but the life to come.
The life to come is eternal life in heaven far and removed from the trials and the pains of this life. Don’t give in, don’t give up, and don’t give out. Hold on to your faith. Endure your trials, troubles, frustrations, and pains of this life.
There is a “Crown Of Life” waiting on you. I cannot explain to you why you and I have these trials to endure but I do know and I can tell you that it will be worth it all when we step away from this world and into His heaven.
Riley Pippen