Such is necessary for the incorrup tible crown. Are you willing to go this far? Everyone must needs ex perience difficulties, but are we willing to help lift another's load? In Matt. 4:19 we hear the Lord say, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." This is not only an invitation, it is also a com mand. Following is a true mark of discipleship (John 10:27; I Pet. 2:21; Rev. 14:4). Are you looking forward to hav ing the incorruptible crown pre sented to you? There is only one way. Learn in this life how to live with self denial. How wonderful to stand someday before the Judg ment Seat of Christ and hear Him say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." If you know Jesus Christ as Sav iour, if you have opened your heart by faith to Him, receiving Him as Lord and Master, then you are a candidate for the incorruptible crown. Will you willingly learn by Christ's example this life of self- denial? In this way, someday this crown will be presented to you! The Crown of Life In considering the five crowns suggested in Scripture for the be liever we find the second deline ated for us in James 1:12, "Blessed is the man that endureth tempta tion: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him." There are no con tradictions between the writings of Paul and this letter of James. Both are equally inspired by the Holy Spirit. Paul reminds us that we are justified by faith before God while James reminds us that we are justified by works before man. Romans tells us how to re
ceive life eternal, while James tells us how to live in this life. Paul spoke of faith and salvation; James wrote of works and rewards. Keep in mind that the subject here is the crown of life, not the gift of life. This is clearly reward, not the gift of salvation. This is obvious since eternal life does not hinge on enduring temptation. This then is a crown that will be given to all who have endured tri als and testings. Such are not to be interpreted as signs of Cod's displeasure (John 16:33; I Pet. 4:12). Dr. Harry Ironside once wrote, "There is no evidence of God's displeasure when His people are called upon to pass through great trials." You may be sure that our profession will be put to the test sooner or later. Some of you doubtless are going through some unbelievable trials right now. I have some very dear friends in Viet Nam with whom I worked closely when I served as a mission ary there. They were captured by the enemy and have been held captive for about nine years. They have not seen their loved ones in all that time. Think of the pain and heartache of being separated from those whom they love so dearly. This is not evidence of Cod's dis pleasure with them. They have been called upon to pass through great trials. It is a part of Cod's perfect plan designed for them long before they were ever born. Trials must not rob us of our joy. In the second verse of his first chapter, James exhorts us, "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations." While we do not enjoy trials there is still a very real contentment which lets Page 23
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker