Life Is In The Absence of it, Not in the Pursuit of it

“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.” (Jas 1:12 AV)

 

The temptation of which James speaks is anything that would try the faith or purity of the saint’s life.  This temptation could be persecution, a trial of faith, or an inducement to sin.  The nature of the temptation matters not.  What matters here is that which is promised if the saints endure.  The timing of the reward is not stated.  One of the remaining crowns, the crown of righteousness, is clearly given at the judgment seat of Christ.  But of this crown, we do not know.  This got me thinking a bit.  I wonder if this crown, at least in part, could be enjoyed on this side of glory.  I began to think about how life would be different if we endured all our temptations.  Especially those of a sinful nature.  How would life be different?  Could we say that we were living?  Really living?  I wonder if the promise of the crown of life is the same as the abundant life which Christ promises?  I wonder if we were to truly surrender to the ministry of the Holy Spirit and live and the LORD would want us to, if our lives would be blessed beyond measure  I wonder if the substance of the crown of life could be enjoyed today.

The crown of life is also known as the martyr’s crown.  In Revelation chapter two the crown of life is promised to those who remain faithful unto death.  It is suggested they remain faithful amid persecution and martyrdom.  This crown of life is promised to those who have learned to die to self.  Jesus said something interesting in regards to these thoughts.   “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.” (Mt 16:25 AV)  This same phrase occurs three more times in the gospels.  However, this occurrence, being the first, is different.  In the other three entries, Jesus states the one who loses his life will save it.  Above, He states the one to lose his life will find it.  To some, this may be too minor of a distinction, but I think there is a great principle in the distinction.  Our Savior is telling us if we die to self, then we begin to discover what life truly is.  This attitude of self-abasement and discipline is contrary to our natural instincts.  We want to please the flesh.  Yet when we do, the pleasure is short-lived and life becomes more difficult.  However, if we learn to yield to the ministry of the Holy Spirit, depending on Him to bring the body under subjection, then we learn what true blessings await the soul.

As to exactly when we receive this crown of life, I cannot tell.  If we compare it to the crown of righteousness, then we must conclude it is at the judgment seat of Christ.  If we believe circumstances are identical to the crown of life in Revelation chapter two, then we can also conclude we will see it in glory.  However, what we might be able to conclude is the principle of the reward can be enjoyed now.  That is what the LORD said.  We will have life and have it more abundantly if we learn to endure the temptations of life.  If we can say no to sin, then our lives will be richer for it.  If we can endure the persecutions that the world will no doubt throw our way, our lives will be richer for it.  If we go through hard tests of faith, God appreciates it and adds blessings to us.  In other words, even if the crown of life is future tense, we can still enjoy its benefits of it in real-time.