he promised.

“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.”

James 1:12

Blessed.

Lavished upon. Protected. Favored. Loved abundantly. Rewarded. Regarded.

Remains. 

To abide. To stay. To hold on. Diligent. Determined. Single minded. Focused. Unmoved. 

Steadfast.

Unshaken. Convicted. Grounded. Anchored. Secure. Confident. Unafraid.

Under.

In the midst of. In the center of. Oppressed. Crushed. Challenged. Wounded by.

Trial.

Pain. Suffering. Conflict. Persecution. Unfairness. Abandonment. Desolation. Darkness. Accusation. Rejection. Devastation. Disregarded. Loss. 

For when he has stood the test...

It will come to pass. It will end. All things hurtful and painful are confined to this earth. Therefore, they are temporary. The trial will end. 

Not if, but when. 

For when he has stood the test...

To stand is a sign of strength. Confidence. Resolve. Determination. 

Stand firm. Don’t back down. Don’t sit down. Don’t surrender. 

Stand. 

For when he has stood the test...

This is a test. A test will tear away all that is false, all that is pretentious

and only the true will remain. 

Refining fire. It burns hot, it blisters, it hurts. It refines, it purifies, it redefines. 

He will receive the crown of life...

Nothing that is worth having comes without price or without cost. 

A crown is reserved for only those in royalty or significance. 

It’s sign of blood line or achievement.

Dignity. Beauty. Favor. Extravagance. Royalty.

Stand firm...be found in the blood line of Jesus Christ...

a Man of many sufferings and acquainted with grief...

Resurrected because He was crucified,

victorious because He endured,

exalted because He was obedient. 

So it is with us.

Which God has promised...

God.

The Creator and Sustainer of all that is and all that will be. 

Unaffected by the deeds of men,

unshaken by the decisions of men. 

Fully in control, wholly sovereign, and completely just. Altogether perfectly good.

Unconditional and unwavering in His love. 

Has.

Past tense. Done. He has promised. His promise stands. His promise waits to be claimed. 

Promised.

Guaranteed. Set in stone. 

To those who love Him. 

Not ‘to those who have lived a perfect life’ or ‘who have taught Sunday school, pastored a church, taken communion regularly, wore floor length skirts, had perfect attendance in church, lived in a hut overseas telling people about Christ...’ 

Love is the only requirement. 

Forsake all others. 

Adore. Desire. Live for. Surrendered to. Intimate with. Walk with. 

All those other things are the result of love. 

Church attendance does not create love. 

Full time ministry or regular religious ritual are not the springs from which love is conceived. 

They are regarded as nothing if not done as a result of sheer love. 

Stand firm. Know for Whom and by Whom you stand. Love Him. Persevere. Be confident in His promise and in knowing that the trial will come to pass. 

And when it has, 

you will receive the crown of life and appear as refined gold in the likeness of His son.

He promised. 

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