Spiritual Strength For Each Day

“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).

We see here two conditions for receiving the crown of life. First, we have to endure temptation. We are not free from temptation when we follow Jesus. On the contrary, there are spiritual temptations when we as children of God have to go through a dark tunnel. It seems to us then that the Lord is far away, but it is then that He is nearest. It is then that the pierced hand of Jesus is holding you tight. There are also mental temptations. We may be cornered and burdened, but it says that Christ dwells in our hearts “by faith” and not by feelings! Then there are physical temptations when we are plagued by sickness. The Lord Jesus is our Great Physician, however. 
The second condition for receiving the crown of life is that we love Him. We can believe in Jesus, we can speak of Him with great conviction, and we can strive to follow in His footsteps, but the Lord is primarily interested in whether or not we really love Him.  Do you love Jesus? Does your heart beater faster when you think of Him? The Word of God promises, “The Lord preserveth all them that love him” (Psalm 145:20).

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