Today’s passage: James 1:12-15
Helpful thoughts:
- Blessing (Joy/Satisfaction) comes from persevering through trials. There can be joy in the midst of, and further joy as a result of, trials. God’s work is joy producing.
- “The crown of life” could be translated as, the “crown which is (eternal) life.”
- God has already promised this to His children, everyone who believes.
- God is working in you to produce this steadfastness.
- God is going to reward you for something that He did by His gracious will.
- God tempts no one. Hardships produce steadfastness in the Christian. Sin is already there in the heart and being rooted out.
- We do what we do because we want what we want. When I sin, it’s my choice and my fault.
- I can choose to sin. I cannot choose my consequences.
Questions to consider:
- How good and kind is God? How amazing is His grace?
- How desperately wicked would we be without Him? Why is the world not worse than it already is?
- Why is the call to humility in the previous three verses to critical? How would a high view of myself negate the massive amount of grace and love that God has shown us? How does an accurate, low view of myself magnify the grace and love of God? Which causes us to worship? Which truly gives us greater joy? How has the world’s philosophy on our view of “self” undercut the power and magnitude of the Gospel?