Crowned One

509.  " Crowned One"                           May 1, 2012
James 1-Part 5
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.   James 1:12


LET IT GLOW

My husband and I name our daughter Stephanie and our son Stephen, which are dreived from the Greek word Stephanos, meaning "crowned one." To us their parents, they were beautiful babies. Oh, they were not born into a royal family. We are just ordinary country folk. However, as grown adults, they are both Christians and a child of the King (Jesus). So I hope they wear their names proudly, with honor and dignity, and remember they are royalty. We will discuss "crowned one" later. 

What is promised to me when I handle problems, trials, temptations correctly?
The first promise is happiness.
Blessed (makarios in Greek) means "happy," according to Young's Concordance.

In the Old Testament the word blessing is always used in the plural, signifying being happy many times over, This kind of happilness is impossible if it's dependent on circumstances, but it's available in abundance if we depend on the Lord in all our circumstances. (Swindoll)

Endureth means "to bear bravely and calmly;" temptation means "the trial of man's fidelity, integrity, virtue; an enticement to sin, whether arising from the desires or from outward circumstances."
Endureth (hypomeno in Greek) is the verb form of the word "patience." (Liberty Bible Commentary)

In Psalms, there are some things of God that endure forever:

• His mercy (Ps.136)
• His goodness (Ps.52)
• His truth (Ps. 100:5)
• His righteousness (Ps.111:3)
• His praise (Ps. 111:10)
• His Word (1Peter 1:25).

Aren't we glad some things endure forever?

So am I supposed to remain happy, even during those times of troubles, problems, trials, temptations? I am supposed to bear them bravely and calmly? Well, as a Christian, I am to have joy that the unsaved person can't have. Is the peace and love of God bubbling over in my heart today?Ohhh!

LET IT GROW

The New American Standard Bible says verse 12 this way: Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

William Baker, author of The Books of James and First and Second Peter says:

The word perseveres is the verb form of the earlier word "endurance" (verse 4), which James says the trial of faitah will produce. In other words, the exercise of faith produces endurance that in turn enabbles the person to endure further trial. At the end of this process, he or she becomes "approved," a word was used of anything that successfully passed a test. Rewards are granted at that time, symbolized by the "crown of life."

"The crown which is life" is a better translation, according to John MacArthur, denotes the believer's ultimate reward, eternal life, which God has promised to him and will grant in full at death or at Christ's coming. (Rev. 2:10, 1Peter 5:4)

According to William Barclay, in the the ancient world the crown (stephanos) had at least 4 associations:

1. The crown of flowers worn at time of joy, festives.
2. The crown was the mark of royalty. It was worn by kings and those in authority.
3. The crown of laurel leaves was the victor's crown in the games, the prize which the athlete coveted above all.
4. The crown was the mark of honor and of dignity.

We Christians have joy; a royalty as the child of God; a victory in Jesus; a new dignity because of Jesus. No man can ever be worthless, if Christ died for him.


I can handle that crown of life. How about you? However, am I ready to endure, bravely and calmly, the test of perseverance in suffering?

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.  1 Cor. 10:13

"He who has a why to live can bear with almost any how," said Nietzsche.

James has given us they why about our adversities, and now we can do more than just bear our trials; we can actually choose to grow through them.

Let it be said of me that I stood the test.

By faith Linda...


LET IT GO

Stop grumbling when little problems arise.

Accept trials, troubles, temptations, and problems as a way of growing in faith.

Be ready to have my faith tested after studying this lesson.

Remember there is a crown of life waiting for me in eternity when I endure.