Live Like Jesus (Part 2) James 1.12-27

Live Like Jesus (Part 2)
Obeying God’s Word
James 1.12-27
Jeff Garrett

Last week James explained the spiritual dynamics of trials that sets us on a path that leads to maturity. This week he is going to warn against an alternative path.

The Spiritual Dynamics of Trials

(James 1.2-4)
Trials --> Testing --> Perseverance --> Maturity

The progression of events in James 1.2-4 goes like this. You experience various trials and problems in life. These test your faith as you persevere and patiently endure them. And perseverance must finish its work so that you will be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

(James 1.13-15)
Trials --> Temptation --> Sin --> Death

But there is an alternative and progression of events goes like this. You experience various trials and problems in life. These result in temptations (to hate those who are persecuting Christians, to be greedy or jealous of the rich, to use angry words) which gives birth to sin and sin, when it is full grown, gives birth to death. In today’s lesson James warns against this second pattern (in 1:13-15) and then encourage a following of the first pattern (in 1:16-18).

If we are going to live like Jesus we need to know how to resist tempation and obey God’s word. 13 When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

Notice v.13a says “When tempted” not “if your tempted.” Temptation is inevitable.
Some people have the mistaken idea that spiritually mature Christians are not bothered by temptation. That’s not true. Jesus was tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin (Hebrews 4:15). So when you are tempted don’t think that you are unspiritual. It may mean just the opposite. It may be that you are doing so well that Satan feels the need to try to halt your progress. You are going to be tempted as long as you live.

A young man asked a priest “When will I reach the point where the sins of the flesh will no longer appeal to me.” The priest said, “Son, I wouldn’t trust myself until I had been dead for three days.” So you are always going to be tempted.

It is important to accept responsibility for your temptations. 1.13b When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." Don’t blame God. I heard about an overweight preacher who announced to his staff that he was going on a diet but the very next morning he showed up at the office with a dozen donuts and two of them had already been eaten. His secretary said, “I thought you were going on a diet.” He said, “I was but it is not God’s will.” She said, “How do you know?” He said, “Well, I always drive by the bakery and I was so hungry this morning that I prayed ‘God, if its not your will for me to eat any donuts don’t let there be a parking space in front of the bakery.’” He said, “Sure enough, the eighth time around the block there was a place right there in front.”

You know, we’re always trying to blame somebody else. We even blame God for our sins. God asked Adam “Why did you eat the forbidden fruit?” Adam said, “The woman that you created gave it to me.” People say things like … “I met a woman and the chemistry between us was so strong that we couldn’t resist it because that’s the way God made us.” “I can’t help being homosexual because that’s the way I was born.” “I can’t control my anger because God made me with a short fuse.” “It’s not my fault that I’m an alcoholic, it’s in my genes.” Stop blaming God for your sins.

13b For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; He is not directly, indirectly or even remotely associated with our sins. 1.14 tells us the real problem. but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.

The problem is not God or other people. We are the problem. We are tempted when, by our own evil desires, we are dragged away and enticed. The word “enticed” refers to baiting a hook. When I was a kid I used to sell fish bait. I caught minows, crawdads, lizards and worms and sold them for a $1.00 a dozen. I learned that fishermen use different bait for different fish. I remember dangling bait right in front of rainbow trout in Larual Creek and they wouldn’t bite. But if I used certain bait or another fishing lure they would bite. The same is true with trapping. When I was a kid I would run a trap line up the creek and bait my steel traps and catch muskrats and oppossoms. They would see and smell the bait which enticed them to step into my trap and WHAP! Then do you know what I did? I killed them, skinned them, and sold their hides.

That’s what Satan does. Satan knows just how to bait the hook. He knows just how to set the trap. He uses different bait for different people. What does he use to bait you? Gossip, anger, lust, an illicit affair, pornography, bitterness, greed, revenge, food, possessions, or love of money? He entices you. It’s sort of like what advertizers do.

You sit at home watching a ball game and all the sudden a Pizza Hut commercial comes on. And its in beautiful color on your TV. Steam is rolling off of the top of the pizza. And you can see the pepperoni nestled down in the cheese and it looks so delicious – lets order one right now! That’s the way it happens. You don’t even think about it but the next thing you know you’re calling the number. The advertising works on the imagination – it’s enticing and you begin to fantasize and before you know it the fantasy becomes a reality. Some things are very enticing and before you know it you’ve swollowed the bait only to find a hook.

Ravi Zacherias tells of a man riding on an airplane sitting next to an attractive woman and he propositioned her for one million dollars. She thought about it and agreed to take him up on his offer. He responded by saying, “I’m sorry, I don’t have a million dollars – how about $10?” She said, “What kind of woman do you think I am?” He said, “That has already been establish, we are just haggling over the price. You’ve heard the statement “Everybody’s got their price.” A lot of people throw away their integrity, their family and their relationship with Jesus for a lot less than a million dollars.

You say, “I would never commit adultery. I’m too spiritual for that. I am involved in the church.” Having a role in the church doesn’t make you immune to temptation. I have a friend who recently confronted his senior pastor because he was having an affair with his worship leader’s wife. He went to the hotel room where they had checked in and caught them together. The pastor lost his position and both couples are in counseling. My friend is now the senior pastor for that church and the church continues to grow because he dealt with the problem quickly and decisively. But the heartache and damage that was caused by the sexual immorality is indescribable and it all began with temptation.

That’s why we need to be accountable to each other. Have you notice how many times James uses the word “brother”? He uses it four times in chapter: v. 2 my brothers, v. 9 the brother, v.16 my dear brothers, and v.19 My dear brothers. Every man ought to have a brother to help him fight temptation. James 5.16 says we should confess our sins to each other. You may be tempted to be unfaithful to your wife or husband. Some men struggle with pornography. You need to have someone you are accountable too. The longer you keep it a secret the more power it will have in your life. But the moment you expose your temptation to the light, its power over you will diminish.

That’s why we are making CDs available from XXXChurch.com. Rob has programmed the CD to automatically start when you put it into your computer and anybody can use it.
Once it is installed a report of the websites you have visited will be emailed to the accountability partners you choose. Just because you pick up a CD doesn’t mean that you have an addiction to pornography. It means that you are serious about maintaining moral purity. I have it on my computers and one of my accountability partners is my wife.

In 1.14-15 you can see the sequence of temptation. 14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. It follows a consistent pattern. We are dragged away from Jesus by our own evil desire because we are entice by the bait. Then James switches metaphors in v.15 and uses another word picture. Now, he pictures a person pregnant with sin. Sin is conceived but it is hidden from others – there is a gestation period. The conception and the birth may be many months apart but finally it gives birth to sin. And sin begins to grow. It grows through developmental stages until it is full-grown. I started drinking a little alcohol. It was like a little puppy. I would bring it out and play with it. But it grew and grew and turned into a pit bull and I couldn’t get it off of me. Sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. That’s the dymaic process of sin.

It doesn’t have to be alcohol. The same is true with greed or lust or gossip or lying. It grows. Sin breeds sin. If you tell a lie you better have a good memory because you will have to tell other lies to cover it up. Pretty soon you don’t know whether you’re lying or telling the truth. The final step is death - sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
I expect that some of you are flirting with sin. You are jepordizing your influence, your family, your career, and your relationship with Jesus. You think you are pretty clever right now because you are getting by with it. You think you are smart enough to know when to stop. You enjoy the money, you enjoy getting high, you’re enflamed with passion and lust. You think you can continue in it without harm but you are only decieving yourself.

16 Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

Don't be deceived about the origin of temptation, and don't be deceived about the origin of every good gift either. Get your eyes off of your temptation and look up into the face of Jesus.

Have you heard the lesson of the dog? Anyone who has trained a dog is familiar with this scene. A bit of meat or bread is placed on the floor near the dog. The dog is enticed to go after it but the owner says to the dog “No!”. The dog knows he better not touch the meat and will usually take his eyes off of the food because the temptation to disobey would be too great. Instead, he fixes his eyes on the master’s face. That’s what we need to do. When tempted, look into the face of Jesus. Look up to the Father of the heavenly lights. God is light and in him is no darkness at all. And as you are looking up you will see gifts coming down. Embrace the gifts because, unlike sin, they are good and perfert for you.

Now you will not be able to do this unless you follow the imperatives in verses 19-21. 1.19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

Here’s what you need. You need an open ear (quick to hear), a controlled tongue (slow to speak), and a calm spirit (slow to become angry) because your selfish anger will not help you live like Jesus. You need an open ear, a controlled tongue, a calm spirit, and a clean heart (get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent). Then you will be able to humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. But you have to do more than listen – you have to do what it says.

22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.

Now it is important to listen to the word. I love to study the Bible. To prepare for this lesson I read the passage 20 times in one setting. I took notes. I usually review my old sermons as Jeanie transcribes them. I consulted four commentaries and listened to three other sermons. I listen to sermons at double speed [demonstrate]. I have a big appetite and I spend time preparing. Then, on Saturday night, I review, rehearse and pray over it. I let it sit and God warms it up. That’s why I don’t take appointments on Saturday night. I can’t do that. I put earplugs in my ears and cover them with silencers because the only voice I want to hear is God’s voice as I look intently into the perfect law of liberty.

But what if, after doing all this preparation, I preach the sermon and you listened to it and encouraged me at the door saying “Jeff, that was a good message” and then we did not apply it to our life? What good would that do? It would be meaningless. It would be like looking into the mirror and seeing that you are a mess and walking away without addressing the problems. I’ve heard people say, “Man, you ought to see me when I first get up – I look awlful.” What kind of person walks into the bathroom turns on the light, looks in the mirror and says “Wow! I look bad!” Then, flips the light off and comes to church. You didn’t come to church in your pajamas like you just got out of bed. I can see that you looked in the mirror and did something about it. You washed, bathed, and dressed appropriately.

When you hear or study God’s word you are looking into a mirror and you see reflections of yourself. You see things you flaws and sins that you need to repent of. You see commands that call for action and you need to follow through and apply it. We are not doing this to satisfy idol curiousity. We want to obey God so that we can live like Jesus. If we don’t apply God’s word our religion is worthless.

26 If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Three challenges for this week.

1. Keep a tight reign on your tongue – stop gossiping, stop using filthy language, stop cursing and swearing. Use your tongue to praise God and encourage people.

2. Show compassion for the needy – take care of widows and orphans. Here are two opportunities to apply this challenge: a.) Visit one of our shut-ins (their names are on the power point slid and the back of your bulletin. b.) Ask Racheal Dosier how you can help with the children whose parents don’t come to church.

3. Keep yourself from being polluted by the world - get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

Live Like Jesus (Part 1) - James 1.1-12

Live Like Jesus (Part 1)
Persevere in Hardships
James 1.1-12
Jeff Garrett

Today we begin a new series, from the book of James, called “Live Like Jesus.” 1.1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings.

The book of James was written by the Lord’s half brother. There was a time when James did not believe in Jesus (John 7.5). James thought that Jesus was out of his mind (Mark 3.21). But after the resurrection the Lord appeared to him (1 Corinthians 15.7) and James became a great leader in the Jerusalem church (Acts 15.13). About A.D. 50 James wrote his letter To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations. These Jewish believers were driven out of Jerusalem because of “a great persecution” (Acts 8.13). They had lost their home, their family, their friends, and familiar surroundings. They were persecuted by the very leaders they grew up admiring and they were suffering trials of many kinds. So James begins his letter like this.

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,…. Our trials are our problems and I want you to notice three things in verse 2.

First, problems are inevitable. Notice that v.2 says whenever you face trials of many kinds. James does not say “if you encounter problems” or “maybe you will have some problems.” The issue is not “if it happens” but “when it happens.”

I heard about a nurse who came into a father’s waiting room. She told an expectant father “Your wife has just given birth to twins.” He said, “O that’s wonderful but it’s kind of ironic because I play baseball for the Minnesota Twins.” A few minutes later the nurse came back and said to another father “Your wife just gave birth to triplets.” He said, “Isn’t that strange. I work for the 3M Company.” Another father immediately became pale and bolted out of the room and the nurse said, “Where are you going sir? Your wife is in labor right now.” He said, “I know, but I drive a truck for 7Up.” Sometimes you can see trouble coming and you need to anticipate it.

Problems are inevitable. This is an important point because you may assume that since you’re a Christian the Lord will make all your problems go away. Isn’t that what the preachers on TV say? They say, “Once you become a Christian your troubles are over. If you have enough faith you will prosper financially, be able to pay all your bills, and when you get sick God will always heal you.” Then, it happens. You loose your job and you can’t pay your bills or you get cancer or your child becomes ill and you think “It must be my fault. God must be punishing me. I don’t have enough faith. Maybe I am not even saved because this doesn’t happen to real Christians.”

That’s not what the Bible teaches. James says “problems are inevitable.” It is a fact of life. Jesus said "In this world you will have trouble” (John 16.33). Peter said, “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you” (1 Peter 4.12). Don’t assume; “If I have problems I must not be saved” or “God must be punishing me”. Don’t assume that, because problems are inevitable.

Second, problems are unpredictable. Notice that verse 2 says whenever you face trials of many kinds. The word “face” means "to fall into unexpectedly". It is the same word used in the story of the Good Samaritan when the man fell among thieves -- it was unexpected. Problems are not planned. Two weeks ago I had two cars in the garage. I didn’t plan for that happen. We don't plan to have a flat tire. We don’t plan to get sick. We don’t plan to loose our job or to have other crises. They are inevitable. They are unpredictable.

Third, problems are of many kinds. Notice that verse 2 says whenever you face trials of many kinds. The word for “many kinds” is the word from which we get the words “multi-colored” and “polka dot”. Our problems are so diverse. They come in various shades and colors and sizes. This week I thought about some of the hardships you all are suffering: health problems, family problems, financial problems, school problems, and work problems. They vary in intensity and duration. Some are minor inconveniences. Some are major crises. We have all kinds of problems and since we want to live like Jesus we need to know how to handle them. That’s why I have titled this message “Persevere in Hardships.”

1. Cultivate your relationships - There are two primary relationships that you need to cultivate. First, you need to cultivate your relationship with Jesus. Notice the relationship James has with Jesus. 1.1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. Your relationship with God through the Lord Jesus Christ is the single most important factor in your ability to persevere through hardships. Jesus is the one who gives you strength to endure trials. When Jesus is your Lord, you “know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8.28). Wouldn’t you like to be the kind of person that even when bad things happen (your divorce, your health problems, your problems at work, your family problems) God would work them all out for your good? You can claim that promise this morning by accepting Christ as your Lord.

The second relationship that you need to cultivate is with your church family. Notice how he refers to his readers. He uses a term of endearment. James 1:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers. That’s a family name. That’s implies love and support. You can’t face your problems alone. I remember a time when I had so many problems I nearly despaired. Then, I turn to the Lord and my church family and God completely turned my life around. I thought I was finished. I thought “there’s no hope for me.” But look at me today. And I owe in all to the Lord Jesus Christ and his people. You can experience the same thing but you need to cultivate your relationship with Jesus and your brothers and sisters in Christ.

2. Choose your attitude – James 1.2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,…. Some people think they don’t have a choice. If things are going well they have a good attitude but if things are not going well and they have a lot of problems they have a bad attitude and they think they can’t change it. But you can.

Parents expect their children to be able to change their attitude regardless of circumstance. Have you ever said to your children “Change your attitude!”? When my girls were younger I used a catchy little phrase. If things were going their way and the get grumpy and negative I say, “Change your attitude. You have a choice. You can live in ‘Grumpyville’ or ‘Happytown’. It’s your choice – but if you choose to live in Grumpyville you’re going to your bedroom because I don’t want to hear it.” I think our heavenly Father expects the same thing with us.

But you say, “Jeff, you don’t understand. I have big problems!” I can’t change my attitude until the situation changes.” Here are some common reactions.

Confused – “Why is this happening to me?” God must be punishing me.
Guilty – “If only I had said this or done that or acted differently”
Cheated – We think that life is suppose to be easy and we it’s not ideal we feel cheated. “This class is boring I’m going to drop out.” “This marriage is unfulfilling I’m getting out.” “This job is hard I quit.” “This church is demanding I’m going to complain.”
Angry – at ourselves, at other people or at God and we become bitter.
Pessimistic – “It’s never going to work out” “Things are never going to get better.”
Critical – of other people in our family or at work or in the church.
Self-pity – “Don’t you feel sorry for me?” “Don’t you even care?”
Envy – “Why aren’t they suffering like me?”

With these reactions, we often fall into precisely the problems James addresses for his original readers: a jealous focus on material wealth, a selfish neglect of others' needs, a judgmental spirit and hurtful speech, and bitterness and fighting with one another. This stands in stark contrast to the attitude James wants us to choose. He says to consider it pure joy. You say, “How can I do that?”

3. Consider the Benefit - 1. 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

You have to look below the surface to see the benefit. James wants us to look deeper to see the progression of events that lead to maturity.

The Spiritual Dynamics of Trials

Trials --> Testing --> Perseverance --> Maturity

James says I want you to understand the spiritual dynamics of trials. The progression of events goes like this. You experience various trials and problems in life. These test your faith as you persevere and patiently endure them. And perseverance must finish its work so that you will be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Paul would agree with this. He said in 2 Corinthians 12.7 To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Paul said his thorn in the flesh was a messenger from Satan. He didn’t blame God he understood that it was from Satan. And it tormented him. He prayed for God to remove it but he didn’t and he learned how the benefit. It kept him humble. He learned that “God’s grace was sufficient.” He learned that God’s power was made perfect in weakness. He learned to say “When I am weak, then I am strong.”

Everybody has a thorn. Some of you have physical pain and that’s your thorn. For some of you your thorn has a first and last name. But everybody has a thorn.

Think back over your life and answer this question: Have you grown more through good times or hard times? I believe I grew more through hardships because I learned that God can be trusted. I learned that I need him and that I need my brothers and sisters. I learned that God is forgiving and that his love is unconditional. That’s what you learn when you endure hardships. You learn that God is faithful. You learn to be content, to be patient, to endure. It makes you strong. And when you consider all these benefits you can rejoice even while you are experiencing them.

Now I’ve never met a person who, when the transmission drops out of their car on I64 at 5am can say “O, this is wonderful. Now I can grow and mature.” That’s phony. But there can be a spirit of joy in knowing that God can use adversity to help us mature. We can keep calm under pressure because, in the Bible, joy and suffering go together. That’s why, while Paul was in prison, he could write “Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice.” That’s why, after the apostles were beaten, they left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name” (Acts 5:40-41). William Barkley said that the thing that amazed the heathens in the first century was not that the Christian martyrs did not die grimly – they died singing.

Paul said in Romans 5:3-4 “We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” God is more concerned about developing your character than protecting your comfort.

4. Call for help – James says we should call on God for help and gives two illustrations. His first illustration focuses on wisdom and the second on money. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. When you go through trials you need an additional measure of wisdom. This is a great verse.

Some people believe that James is legalistic. They believe that he is simply a teacher of law. But in 1.5 James points to the grace of God and this verse is foundation to the whole letter. We can approach God with confidence because he gives generously to all without finding fault. There is never going to be a time when God says, “O, here comes Jeff Garrett again. Didn’t I give you some wisdom yesterday and you didn’t use it.” God will never do that to you.

So don’t doubt and be like a wave in the sea, blown and tossed by the wind (1.6-8). You’ll be like a little cork bobbing up and down on the waves of the ocean. You’ll be a victim of circumstance. Encouraged one moment and discouraged the next. You’ll be up and down and so moody. Have you ever prayed and at the same time, said “I know he’s not going to give it to me.” If you pray like that don’t expect him to give you wisdom because your self-defeating thoughts will drowned out his voice. You’ll be unstable in all you do. But when you trust in his grace you can come with confidence and he will give you the wisdom you need.

When George and Dana are praying for wisdom as they make important decisions about Brendan’s surgeries – they can call for help and know that God will answer them. When Mary Dunford is praying for wisdom to make important decisions about her treatment for cancer – she can know that God will give her wisdom to make decisions. When I ask God to give me wisdom as I counsel someone who has come to me with a problem – I can pray with confidence.

The second illustration focuses on someone who lacks money. 1.9 The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. 10 But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. 11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.

Our view of money is sometimes a root of all kinds of problems like fear and anxiety about how financial needs will be met. We can feel a sense of guilt and failure about our inability to manage finances and about mistakes we have made in the past. We can fall into self-pity, chronic complaining and envying of others who can buy and do things we can’t.

James presents two extremes. The poor can be insecure or jealous or angry at others who seem to have so much while they have so little. The rich can be condescending or filled with pride because they have material possessions. Think about …

Three worldly functions of money.
First, money functions as verification of personal worth.
Second, money functions as security.
Third, money functions as power or advantage over other people.

These three functions of money are worldly functions.

a. Against the notion that money means personal worth. James 1:9 reminds the poor of their high position. They are loved by God and their worth has nothing to do with money. There is no reason to be anxious about the future because God will take care of you. There is no reason to be jealous of the rich, instead, view your situation as an opportunity to grow closer to Jesus.

b. Against the notion that money means security. James 1.10-11 reminds the rich that since he will fade away like a flower he ought to take pride in his low position. Don’t trust in wealth. Trust Jesus Christ. When the rich and the poor have the proper attitude they can sit side by side in the pew and feel nothing but love for each other.

c. Against the notion that money means power or advantage. James directs our attention to what is the real advantage or blessedness in life: the crown of life.

5. Count on the Reward - 1.12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

Peter said it like this: In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, (1 Peter 1:6-8).

You can peresevere in hardships when you ...

1. Cultivate your relationships
2. Choose your attitude
3. Consider the benefit
4. Call for help
5. Count on the reward

Prayer Time