12/ Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
13/ Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.
14/ But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust.
15/ Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.
16/ Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.
17/ Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.
18/ In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.
It is not every man who suffers, that is blessed; but he who with patience and constancy goes through all difficulties in the way of duty. Afflictions cannot make us miserable, if it be not our own fault.
The tried Christian shall be a crowned one. The crown of life is promised to all who have the love of God reigning in their hearts. Every soul that truly loves God, shall have its trials in this world fully recompensed in that world above, where love is made perfect.
The commands of God, and the dealings of his providence, try men's hearts, and show the dispositions which prevail in them. But nothing sinful in the heart or conduct can be ascribed to God. He is not the author of the dross, though his fiery trial exposes it.
Those who lay the blame of sin, either upon their constitution, or upon their condition in the world, or pretend they cannot keep from sinning, wrong God as if he were the author of sin.
Afflictions, as sent by God, are designed to draw out our graces, but not our corruptions. The origin of evil and temptation is in our own hearts.
Stop the beginnings of sin, or all the evils that follow must be wholly charged upon us. God has no pleasure in the death of men, as he has no hand in their sin; but both sin and misery are owing to themselves.
As the sun is the same in nature and influences, though the earth and clouds, often coming between, make it seem to us to vary, so God is unchangeable, and our changes and shadows are not from any changes or alterations in him. What the sun is in nature, God is in grace, providence, and glory; and infinitely more.
As every good gift is from God, so particularly our being born again, and all its holy, happy consequences come from him. A true Christian becomes as different a person from what he was before the renewing influences of Divine grace, as if he were formed over again. We should devote all our faculties to God's service, that we may be a kind of first-fruits of his creatures.
1 comment:
Such instruction exists because when life hits the fan, so to speak, many lose FAITH, lose HOPE, lose their belief, lash out at *GOD*, and head into the enemy's traps!
According to THE WORD, we ain't seen nuthin' yet, as far as having to endure, and persevere, and so, the LOVE of THE LORD has, in place, ways to strengthen us, as life happens, before such days arrive, which teach us that steadfastness IS necessary, crucial, and worthy, FOR our safety, assurance, confidence, THE FAITH, and HIS GLORY!!!
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