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“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him” (James 1:12).
Yesterday we spoke about the assembly in Smyrna, where they were suffering persecution, and how the Lord would give a crown of life to those who were faithful unto death for Him. You and I, who live in countries where this does not happen, might wonder, Can we win that crown, or is it only for those who die for Christ?
The crown of life is mentioned twice in the Word of God, and we see it mentioned again here in the book of James. In James it is not given for giving up our life for Christ, but rather for living for Him, and constantly resisting temptation. This takes real spiritual energy, for Satan keeps on tempting us with sin all through our lives. If we live to be older people, we may have to endure this testing for 60 or 70 years.
The Lord values this kind of faithfulness to Him, and will reward us with the same crown as those who give up their lives for Him. You and I can win that crown of life too.
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