Persevere and Take Responsibility

There's a blessing/reward for those who love God and faithfully endure trials/temptation/ suffering to the end. They will receive the crown of life. What a beautiful promise from God! We're reminded of the Heavenly life to come. The hope of Heaven inspires us to persevere through hardship in this life. This world is not our home. This life is temporary. Trials are temporary. Our eternal reward is waiting for us. Stand steadfast through trials and testing. We're truly blessed for all eternity because we have an intimate relationship with God and we will be with Him forever.

Verse 12 made me think of 1 Peter 1:6-7, "In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trails. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." and Revelation 2:10, "Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer...Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life." 

God cannot be tempted by evil because God is holy, pure, and perfect. And God is never the source of temptation (enticement to sin) or sin. Instead of blaming God, we must take personal responsibility for our sins. We must deal with our inner trials. It starts with a desire of the flesh/an evil desire in the mind (in our thought). If pursued, that desire gives birth to sin (acting out the desire). That sin grows and brings forth death (spiritual death which is in contrast to the eternal life God gives to those who love Him and faithfully persevere under trials/temptations in verse 12). As Christ’s followers, we’re in a constant battle between our sinful nature and our new nature. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can rise above the flesh. Through studying and memorizing God's Word, we can be strengthened and equipped to resist and overcome temptations. Through God's grace and faithfulness, He promises to provide us a way out when we face temptations. "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." (1 Corinthians 10:13) We will be blessed/happy when we persevere. Perseverance is the fruit proven by the testing of our faith, which leads to spiritual maturity.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your promise of providing me a way out when I'm tempted. Please help me to take the way out and avoid sinning against You. Please empower me to die to self daily. Please enable me to persevere through the trials of this life. In Jesus's Name, I pray. Amen.