Sermon for the road: Reward in Persevering Faith

James 1:12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

Trials can either make or break a person. Two persons may face similar trials in life, yet one comes out victoriously and becomes a better person, while the other emerges with much bitterness and is angry with herself and others.

Why is this so? The answer lies in strong & persevering faith, love for God, & motivation.

1. Strong & persevering faith

A person has persevering faith when she stays focused in her purpose in life. She does not live for herself but for her Lord, whom she seeks to please. She is a stable person, knowing at all times what she should do, choosing always to do what is right and good. In other words, persevering faith is living out what you believe.

A person's faith is strong when it sees her through a hard trial; it gives her the needed grace to go through the storms of life without being shaken. This faith comes from her believing prayer life. She believes in the unfailing Word of God. She stands firm upon His promises & prays in faith believing God to do exceedingly beyond what she asks for.

2. Love for God

This is the reason why people press on when the situation surrounding a trial remains unchanged or worsens. When a person loves God passionately, nothing will deter her from doing what is right and pleasing in God's sight even through the most difficult of times. Love overwhelms the pains of any trial.

3. Motivation

What motivation can one possibly have by persevering faithfully in trials? It is the crown of life. Such a person knows without a shadow of doubt that God will reward her with the crown of life if she perseveres to the end. This is the promise of God, that He will come and bring her into His kingdom, where He will wipe away her tears, where there will be no more pain or sorrow. and where she will be found in His glorious presence forevermore.

**********

You may not be able to opt out of a trial, or choose the way a trial turns out, but you can choose your response to it. By trusting God in His unfailing Word and promises, by loving Him wholeheartedly and doing all that is right and pleasing in His sight, and by setting your sight on the crown of life, you will emerge from your trial victoriously and become a blessing to others in many ways.

Pastor Sarah