James 1:3-4
"because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything...."
Love love love this passage because it is so true. The book of James is just so inspiring, particulary the first chapter. We see James talk about perseverance under trial. He tells us about Perseverance during times of temptation, and the benefits of doing so in verse 4.
"Let perseverance finish it's work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything"
Those are VERY strong words. If we can find the will power, the strength, to persevere after Christ in our daily lives, even when we don't feel like it, we will grow! That's a pretty big promise.
Verse 12 says:
"Having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that God has promised those who love him".Woah. Strong words. When we struggle with a certain sin, alcoholism, pornography, pride, etc.. when we are caught up in sin, we continue to do it, because it makes us feel good. Anyone whose been drunk will tell you it's a pretty good time. Ever get big headed? How do you feel? Pretty darn good.
Clayton King has been preaching a series of sin, and I have been soaking it up and just really taking it in. I love listening to him speak, and believe it or not will probably miss that the most this coming year when I go to Tech. Anyways, back on topic. The main point he has driven home is Sin Makes you Stupid, but drunk with pleasure. If we don't get enjoyment out of it, why would we sin?! It doesn't make sense any other way!
You may be wondering where all this ties in. You see there's something that happens after the sin, that leaves us feeling empty, insecure, and unworthy. How do we cope with our sin, how do we respond? For many, for most, actually for all, it is a fight not to fall back into it. We keep getting drawn back to the temporary high we once had. We become nearsighted, and we lose sight of the long term effects that it has. As this happens we become more and more callious to the negative impacts it is having on our relationship with God, with friends, the way we live our lives and just our attitudes in general.
So where on earth does all this tie in to what I was talking about earlier.
Dictionary.com defines perseverance as this
steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state,etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles and discouragement
Hello?! Tell me when your being tempted that all three of those emotions don't run through your head. James promises us that if we persevere, we will find true life. That longing that we are always trying to fill with sin, we will find that if we just persevere in times of temptation and trial.
James 4:7 Humble yourselves before the Lord, resist the devil, and he will FLEE from you...
I challenge everyone to take a good, hard long look at James 1 sometime in the next few days. I've only touched on a brief portion of it, but it has without a doubt had a huge impact on my spiritual life.
Also, I'd like to shoutout to my boys Drew Wildboy Hinton, and Devin Matthews. Miss you guys. Orphans and Widows baby!
That's where I've seen God today, that's what's been on my heart. Love ya'll. Peace.
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