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

Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. ~ 1 Peter 1:6-9

There are so many ways in which the Bible sheds light on who will be saved and who will not, that we often read right past those verses. Consider with me the 2 references cited above.

James tells us, Blessed is the man that endureth temptation. One who falls away from the Lord and no longer follows or believes in him did not endure temptation. In Luke 8, Jesus gives the parable of the sower and according to Jesus this parable has to do with those who are saved.

Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. ~ Luke 8:12-13

Now consider what James says in view of what Jesus says in this parable of the sower. James says the man who endures temptation (this is in contrast to the person who falls away in the time of temptation), will receive a crown of life which the Lord has promised them that love him.

The crown of life is the reward for those who love the Lord, and loving God is that which produces enduring faith. We endure suffering, hardships, and difficult times because we love God. Now consider this in view of what Peter tells us, by reading Peter’s words again.

Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. ~ 1 Peter 1:6-9

Notice that Peter tells us that the reward for the end of our faith (after our faith has been tried by various temptations) is the salvation of our souls. In the middle of this exhortation is our love for Jesus, “Whom having not seen, ye love…” Following these words Peter says, “in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.”

The words yet believing, is a reference to the continuation of our faith in the midst of various trials (temptations), and it is love for God and Christ that grows out of our commitment to the Lord that causes our faith to grow and become strong so that we endure in faith in the time of testing.

Being tried, tested, and enduring suffering does not mean God is against you. Jesus said, In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. ~ John 16:33, And John tells us,  For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. ~ 1 John 5:4

The faith that overcomes the world is not faith that burns out because of a lack of commitment, it is faith that preserves because we love Jesus. This enduring faith leads us away from the sins of the flesh and more perfectly into living to the will of God.

Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. ~ 1 Peter 4:1-2

Blessings…