Introduction
In this verse James sets before us the whole aim and goal of this first section of the letter, and indeed what is the aim and goal of our whole Christian lives. This verse is very similar to verse 2, that we are to count it all joy when we meet trials of various kinds for we know the testing of our faith produces steadfastness, and let steadfastness have its full effect that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But now in verse 12 James adds that eternal goal of remaining steadfast in trials. Enduring trials does not just sanctify us and mature us into godly people in this life, but also propels us toward the aim of eternal glory and life.
One of the things we saw in verse 9-11 was a biblical perspective on the nature of our lives, that they are like grass, here today and gone tomorrow. But that is not all there is. It is appointed for man to die once and then comes judgment, where we will be separated into eternal life or damnation. So the shortness of life does not render it meaningless. Rather, the fact that our short lives here on this earth have eternal consequences all the more heightens the importance of remaining steadfast here and now. It is a short time that we have to be valiant and steadfast in the Lord. It is not long. It is here and now. It is today that we must stand the test, for soon our lives will fade away like a flower of the field.
That Man is Blessed
And this short life of trials, that Calvin calls, “one long campaign,” is to be a life of joy in trials – of happiness in hardship. “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,” James told us. And now he encourages us to stand the test by saying, “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial…” So while we endure in this life for the reward of the crown of life, it is not to be a life of misery, but a life of real joy and blessedness. This is the Christian life – a life of trial after trial, one test to the next test, yet joy and blessing even in the midst of the trial. It is a life that recognizes what the Psalmist says in Psalm 119:71, “It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.”
James here reminds us of Psalm 1, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners…” Psalm 1 describes this blessed man, “He is like a tree planted by streams of water.” This is the idea that James is communicating, like a firmly planted tree, “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial…” A good strong healthy tree is firm and steadfast through the winds and waves of trial. Remaining steadfast under trial is not easy, nor is it always pleasant, but it is the way of joy and blessedness. Indeed it is the way of Christ and thus the way in which we are to follow.
James also has echoes of what are called the beatitudes from Jesus’ sermon on the mount, particularly the last of the beatitudes where Jesus teaches, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:10-12). So the one who remains steadfast under trial and stands the test is a blessed man. There is blessedness in endurance.
There are so many stories of Christians who caved under pressure during various times of persecution, who then later were struck with such guilt and regret, who desired to be brought again to the stake, for example. And so many stories, of the one who remains standfast, dying at the stake with joy, singing, and prayer, on their lips. There is joy in endurance in trial.
So when you feel like you can endure a moment more in your trial, and you feel like giving up and calling it quits, remember the joy and blessedness that is found in remaining steadfast. We are not to be of those who shrink back. As Hebrews 10:35-39 says, “Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. For, ‘Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.’ But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.”
The Necessity of Remaining Steadfast and Standing the Test
So we have noted the blessedness of standing fast. Next, note the necessity of remaining steadfast and standing the test. Remaining steadfast in the trials of life is a necessity. Endurance in the Christian faith is not optional. If you are to receive the crown of life you must remain steadfast under trial. The crown of life is not a special prize for the really strong Christians, while those who don’t stand the test just miss out on. No, the crown of life is simply a way of referring to salvation – to eternal life – to finishing the race and being with Christ in glory. So it is necessary that you remain steadfast under trial.
This is also to say, as we have noted in other sermons, that there is no other way to heaven than through trials. Trials and testing are guaranteed in this life. You can’t escape it, you can’t avoid it, you only must endure it. Thomas Manton simply puts it thus, “…before a crowning there must be a trial.”
Now certainly James is not saying that we earn our salvation by our endurance, or that we somehow merit a crown of life by being strong enough. Our endurance is not the ground or the basis for our justification. We are justified by faith in Christ alone, but then God leaves us here on earth to live a life going one trial to the next, testing our faith. The trials are the testing of our faith to prove it and to bring us to maturity. So we know that our endurance does not earn us our salvation, but we also must not then think that remaining steadfast is not necessary. It is necessary, but not as the basis of salvation – it is necessary since remaining steadfast is what justified people do by the grace and power of God in Christ Jesus. So we ought not think that we can throw our hands up in the midst of trial and say, “It doesn’t matter, I’m justified and going to heaven!” No, we must stand fast and endure knowing that this is the testing of our faith, that there is a crown that awaits those who stand the test, and since we are justified in Christ, we must and we can stand the test in Him.
Again, Thomas Manton puts it simply, “Trials do not earn us heaven, but they always precede it.”
“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.” When he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life.
These words remind us of the very test given to the church in Revelation 2:10, “Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.”’”
There are similar words written to other of the churches in Revelation as well. There is this push and emphasis to endure, to conquer, to overcome in the time of testing and trial, that one may receive the reward, the crown of life. It is necessary that we endure and stand the test. And when we have, Jesus gives us a crown for all our trials. Your trials may seem impossible. They may seem like they never end. They may seem so overwhelming. But look to Jesus, and think of that day when you have withstood all, that Jesus will give you the crown of life. How could we not strive with all our might toward that day? Let His look upon you give you that strength and encouragement to stand the test.
Athletes Theme
So James says, “…when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life…” So to receive the crown of life, one must stand the test – pass the test. One must gain the victory and win the prize. This idea is throughout the New Testament. Paul refers to it, in a way, in 1 Corinthians 9:24 and following, saying, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” So Paul refers to the wreath which was placed upon the head of the victor of a race – and points out that every athlete runs the race, competes in the game, in order to win the prize – that crown. But our race is for a much much greater crown, an imperishable crown of life and glory. In 1 Peter 5, Peter encourages elders to do their duties in view of the unfading crown of glory that will be received from the chief shepherd. And it is a worthy and necessary thing to run the race for that prize and glory – for it is salvation in Christ. And in 2 Timothy it says, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.”
These are all saying similar things, for when one runs a race, or competes in a game, there are moments of testing and trial throughout the competition. If you’ve ever competed in athletics, you know that there are moments in the competition where you are tested to slow down and give in, and quit competing with all you’ve got. There are moments when you are tested mentally, or when your passions are tempted and you can get angry and upset and quit, as it were. Or moments when your body feels like it can’t take any more. And at every one of those moments, the victor is always the one who endures through that suffering, who remains steadfast in the trial, and who stands the test.
Why does an athlete put himself through such physical and mental trial and testing? To win the prize! To win the victory! Athletics are an analogy for the Christian life. We know that in a competition, playing not to win is one of the most repulsive things. Infamously, in 1919 The Chicago White Sox were embroiled in a scandal that shook baseball and baseball fans. The White Sox were in the 1919 World Series against the Cincinnati Reds. The White Sox were the heavy favorite and truly the far superior team heading into the world series. At the conclusion of the World Series, the Cincinnati Reds were world champions, and 8 of the White Sox players were on trial for throwing the world series. Concluding the investigation Major League Baseball suspended these 8 White Sox players for life – banned for life – for conspiring with and receiving money from gamblers to intentionally fix or lose the world series. In other words, the gamblers paid off 8 players to lose the world series, so they could win big by picking the underdog Reds. It was a national outrage and so many baseball fans and kids felt utterly betrayed finding out that what they believed was pure competition could be corrupted by players not playing to win. How could this be? How could someone not play to win and not give all their effort to gain the prize? It’s a despicable thought.
So consider this basic instinct we have for athletics – and consider how infinitely much more is on the line and at stake in the fight of our lives, in the race for eternity! How could we not run to win the prize!? How could we not strive with all we can to attain that crown of life? The trials have come and are coming, the temptation and the tests to compromise, to give in, to sell your soul, to slow down are one after another, but don’t look to those things – don’t look to the temporary. It might feel good now, but you are not to look at that – you are to look ahead to Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our salvation, and look ahead to that crown of life and glory for which you run that Jesus will one day hand to the one who stands the test. A little instant gain, a little instant relief, a little instant pleasure, is nothing compared to the crown which awaits. Are you running to win the race? Are you fighting to win the prize?
When you are in the midst of trial, think upon the crown of life that Jesus will give. Desire it. Strive for it. Go for it. Don’t give up. Be prepared for the test. And be steadfast.
King’s Theme
In the image of the crown of life we also have the kingly theme continued that we have seen here in James chapter 1. If you recall from previous sermons we looked at the typical arc of good biblical kings, and even Jesus Himself, how they must endure trial and testing in order to gain wisdom and then rise to the throne, and here we see that again in remaining steadfast through trial, standing the test, and receiving the crown of life, this kingly reign with Christ.
I think of the story of King Alfred the Great, King of Saxony in the late 900’s. At that time the Saxon people were facing continual raids by the Vikings who were brutal. Alfred was thrust into the throne at a young age and was actually beaten back into hiding early on by Vikings who had overtaken and occupied the land. He was hiding in woods and caves, and during this time he remains steadfast and he slowly and steadily makes contacts and recruits his men and puts plans together and an army together to eventually take back their land and people and drive the Vikings back out. And during this time many of the kings would compromise and pay off the Vikings giving them sums of money and treasures to leave, but they would just return for more with more ferocity till there was nothing left and they were overtaken. But Alfred did not give in nor pay them such money. He remained steadfast in principle, and in the end, received the crown.
Christ
“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.” Church, James is not asking us to do this in our flesh or of our own strength. He is pointing us to Jesus the King. Jesus is the Blessed Man. He is the blessed man of Psalm 1. He is the blessed man of James 1. Christ is the blessed man who endured steadfast under trial and rose to receive the crown of life and win the victory. He came to His own and His own received Him not. He was the subject of conspiracies to falsely accuse Him and take His life. Don’t you see the steadfastness and the endurance of Christ as He prays in the Garden on the night He was betrayed, sweating great drops like blood, yet submitting to the will of the Father to endure and drink the cup of suffering and wrath? Do you see His steadfastness in calmly restoring the man’s ear which Peter cut off in his passion? Do you see His steadfast enduring silence before His accusers, as a sheep before the slaughter, under perfect control and restraint? And how he turned His cheek to slapping and spitting, and did not withhold his back from whipping – He endured the cross and suffered the shame, for the joy set before Him – for the crown of glory and victory! At the cross, Colossians says, that Jesus, “disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.” He won! He triumphed over His enemies! He endured and won!
He is this James 1 Blessed Man of endurance and steadfastness, mature and complete, accomplishing the victory – and this is His work He is working in us – making us mature and complete, steadfast, and lacking in nothing that we might be more than conquerors through Him who loved us. When we consider our trials and look within ourselves, if we are honest, we know we don’t have what it takes. We are weak, we are sinners, and the flesh is so weak. But Jesus is strong, and He makes us new creations, He makes us into overcomers, He supplies our every need, His grace is sufficient for our weakness.
Therefore, we go out there and we endure, for that crown of life Jesus gives. Which, James says, God has promised to those who love Him. Why this switch from endurance and steadfastness to love for God? Because Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commands.” Our obedience is born out of love for God, and we love because He first loved us. If you don’t love God, then you will not remain steadfast.
There is the famous quote about war, which says that the best soldiers fight not out of hatred for what is in front of them, but out of love for what is behind them. There’s something there to how we remain steadfast in testing – there’s a love for what we gain in winning – which is God. Love is not this mere fleeting fuzzy emotion, is consistent righteous action on behalf of the beloved – which endures and sacrifices – even one’s own life, for which is loved. Ephesians says, “Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us.” Do you love Him?
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