Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. (ESV)

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. (NIV)

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. (NLT)

Dive Deeper:

Testing and temptation—they’re a part of every Christian’s life. We even see in Matthew 4 that Jesus Himself was tempted in the wilderness. So if it’s common to all, how do the successful who withstand it do so well? With a patience that is rooted in perspective. Looking across the translations, James says the blessed are those who remain steadfast, or persevere, or patiently endure testing and temptation. So how do we do that?

Patient Perspective

It’s two sided. To patiently endure means having a perspective of what’s happening now and what’s to come. It’s our responsibility to learn how we operate in between the two. If I asked you to think of a trial or temptation in your life currently, I bet it wouldn’t take long for you to think of it. If I asked you the same question five years ago, the same would be true. Trials are with us throughout our lives. From sickness, to sin struggles, to insecurity, trials mark us all. Being a Christian doesn’t mean you will no longer be tempted or experience hardship, but it means that when you do, it doesn’t need to consume you. It means that when hardship comes your way, you have someone with you who has authority over your every situation and is eager to come to your rescue.

You aren’t imprisoned to the moment or circumstance you find yourself in because there is hope found in Christ! It no longer feels impossible to get out of or to overcome. We have a hope found in what Christ has already done, and what He will do in the future when He returns. When this fallen creation passes away and we are ushered into the new one, temptation and trial will no longer plague our lives. No matter how long you’ve been enduring a specific hardship, it is but a blink of an eye in the grand scheme of eternity. Having that perspective now gives fuel to fight in the midst of trial. We endure what’s temporary for what’s lasting. We live in a state of blessing. We give up the now for the eternal. 

The Gift of Testing

God allows temptation and trial to test our faith. Our moments of need are opportunities to come to Him, to depend on Him. Resisting temptation and remaining steadfast under trial purifies our faith and laying down our lives as a sacrifice is our true worship. In these times, God meets us where we are at and has given us His Helper, the Holy Spirit (John 14:26, Romans 8:11). The last piece of perspective is that when we endure patiently, we will receive the crown of life, reserved for those who love Him. Whether this is a literal crown or the gift of eternal life itself, the crown holds value because of the One who gives it. He is gracious and generous in His gift giving. We live to have Christ Himself, but in His abundant goodness, we also look forward to the gifts stored up and waiting for us in Heaven. 

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Romans 8:18

Written by Keaton Hewitt