Temptation—Blessedness

Temptation—Blessedness

“Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been proved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” Jas. 1:12.

There is no one who is blessed in heart unless he endures in temptation. He can try to be happy, he can rejoice and praise God, but he will know in his heart that it is not the genuine sound—that giving in to temptation results in emptiness and hollowness in his heart. This is because blessedness is a reward from God in the depths of one’s heart for those who endure in temptation, who are pure in heart, who hunger and thirst after righteousness, etc.

Blessedness and a pure heart belong together. If we have the attitude to endure in temptation, we are guaranteed blessedness (according to 1 Corinthians 10:13) in all of life’s situations. There we read so blessedly and comfortingly: “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able [to bear], but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”

All excuses have to bow to this scripture. May these words kindle an enthusiasm, full of hope and boldness, in our hearts for the days to come, regardless of how difficult they might be. God Himself, who is faithful and who has called us, will watch over us so that each temptation and difficulty will not be too great for us. We will also endure in temptation and pass every trial and thus preserve this blessedness in everything that meets us.

No one has been faithful to the uttermost like Christ in life’s temptations and trials, and He was anointed with the oil of gladness more than His companions in the midst of the battle and the sufferings. Because He Himself has suffered and was tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted. Heb. 2:18. We can always count on His aid, and we can rest assured that it is always sufficient, if we will only receive it.

We must never believe that God will solemnly give the crown of life to someone who—under the appearance of godliness—has wiggled his way through life with hanky-panky. Not at all! The crown of life has been promised to those who love God so greatly that they want to do God’s will instead of their own will at any price. It is impossible to endure without love as the divine impulse, because love endures all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and bears all things. 1 Cor. 13:7.

We can be certain that it will be an especially festive time in heaven when this victorious and holy host will be presented before the throne and will receive the crown of life. Jesus will be the most excellent One in this elect and holy assembly. He has overcome in every temptation! There are many crowns on His head, and His name is Faithful and True. Rev. 19:11-12. He is not ashamed to call this faithful host of heroes His brethren. They have followed Him without fail in His humiliation, and now they will share the glory together with Him. They are the work of His hands, and they will be to His praise for all eternity. In the midst of this assembly He will sing a song of praise and say, “Here am I and the children whom God has given Me.” Read Hebrews 2:10-13.