James 1:12 — the crown of life, and the question underneath it

Through James, part 5 · James 1:12

"Blessed is the one who endures trials, because when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him." (James 1:12)

The words, one at a time

Blessed means happy. James started the chapter with joy in trials; here he tells us where that joy lands.

Endures means to remain under — to not recede or flee; to hold fast to faith in Christ under misfortune; to bear ill-treatment bravely and calmly. It's the verb form of the "endurance" in verse 3. James has come full circle: verse 2 says rejoice in trials; verse 12 shows the blessing that comes out of them.

Stood the test is a beautiful word: dokimos, "approved." In the ancient world there was no paper money. Coins were cast from soft metal, and dishonest people shaved the edges. Athens passed more than eighty laws in one century trying to stop it. But some money-changers were men of integrity who would accept no counterfeit and put only genuine, full-weight coins into circulation. They were called dokimos. That's the word used here for the believer who has come through the trial — genuine, full weight, approved. Paul uses it in 2 Timothy 2:15: "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God."

The crown of life is the victor's crown — the leafy wreath an athlete won at the games. This isn't eternal life itself, which is a gift and not a prize. It's honor. Those who endure will be honored by God.

Promised — God has announced ahead of time what He is going to do. This crown is for those who love Him.

Five questions about your trials

1. How do you react when testing comes into your life?
2. Do you complain bitterly about the misfortunes of life, or do you thank the Lord for them?
3. Do you advertise your trials, or bear them quietly?
4. Do you live in the future, waiting for circumstances to improve, or in the present, looking for the hand of God in everything that comes?
5. Do you indulge in self-pity and seek sympathy, or lose yourself in serving others?

The question underneath: do you love Christ?

Notice the motivation James gives for enduring. It isn't willpower. It's love for Christ. The crown is promised "to those who love Him." If you don't love Christ, you have no motivation to endure — and honestly, you won't.

So the question under the whole chapter is: do you love Christ? And love has evidence. In The 5 Love Languages, Gary Chapman describes five ways people give and receive love. Set physical touch aside, and look at the other four in Scripture — because God asks for all of them.

Acts of service. Paul introduces himself as "a servant of Jesus Christ" (Romans 1:1). "Serve the LORD with gladness" (Psalm 100:2).

Quality time. "Evening, morning, and noon I will pray" (Psalm 55:17). "Seek first the kingdom of God" (Matthew 6:33).

Gifts. "God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7). And Jesus said that whatever we do for the least of His brothers, we do for Him (Matthew 25:40).

Words of affirmation. "Hallowed be Your name" (Matthew 6:9). "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power" (Revelation 4:11). "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Armies" (Isaiah 6:3).

Is your love for your spouse evident? For your children? For your parents? For your friends? By those same standards, is your love for Christ evident?

Why love changes everything in James 1

Your love for Christ is what motivates you to trust, obey, and follow Him. Why can we count it joy to fall into trials (v. 2)? Because we love Christ and we know He loves us. Why can we pray with expectation (v. 5)? Because we love Christ and know He loves us. Why can we glory in whatever state we're in (vv. 9–11)? Same answer. Why can we be happy enduring (v. 12)? Same answer.

Trials come, and our love for Christ will carry us through. And there is a reward for endurance.

So how did you answer it?

Maybe you came up empty. You can't point to time, gifts, words, or service, because you don't know Him. That's not a reason to close the tab. That's the best place you could be sitting right now. Love for Christ starts when you see what He did: He went to a cross for sin that was yours and never His, and He didn't stay dead. Ask Him to save you and He will, today, right where you are. The crown is promised to those who love Him, and you can't love a stranger.

The other one of you does love Him, but nobody around you could have proved it this week. So fix that with something your family would notice. Take the love language you'd be most ashamed to skip with your spouse and give it to Christ instead. Fifteen minutes of undivided time with nothing in your hands. Or say it out loud, alone, that He is worthy. Out loud. It feels ridiculous for about four seconds and then it doesn't.

---

Through James: ← Part 4 · Part 5 · Part 6 →