Word on the Way - James 1:12

Word on the Way is a passage sent out daily by Way.FM

Wednesday, May 26
James 1:12 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.

At first this verse just rubbed me the wrong way. It just felt that God was playing favorites. Maybe it was guilt. I know I'm messed up, and its impossible for me to do good alone. So, how am I supposed to be able to endure? Well, that's it actually. We can't, so in our trials we get on our knees and wait on the Lord. Patiently in faith we endure in His love and strength.

Then there's that reward thing. That also rubs me the wrong way. I'm not a supporter of the 'do this and God will give you that' religion. It's wrong. Yes, God promises to and will bless us; but who are we to expect that anything we do will elicit a response from God? What can I do to earn any blessing from God? Yeah, nothing! Working with that realization, I stepped back and it hit me! What else do I need? I have God! I have a relationship with Him and He's inviting me into that forever! I'm going to be with Him because He saved me from who I was. He has promised me that crown of life! Yet, I know that enduring trials and temptation on my knees in faith, begging for Him to be near, will also bless me. Our relationship will deepen as I cling to Him acknowledging how powerless I really am; but I think James is getting at more.

The truth is God not only saved us, not only brings us closer, but then pours on us more than we need, more than we can imagine. That's the God we serve. That's the God who is calling me to my knees to be blown away by His blessings. I hope and pray that my pride doesn't get in the way, and that I am humble enough to be blessed by our amazing God, and that you are too.