Stress Test Devotional May 4
May 04, 2024
JAMES 1:12b | 12b Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
Jesus promises rewards in the next life for His followers! There is no verse where He talks of crowns except Revelation 2:10 (the life for those who endure suffering) and James probably did not know this verse, spoken by the risen Lord through John around 100AD. But the New Testament writers use the image to encourage faith despite trials. Paul, to the Corinthians, speaks of the imperishable crown and connects it with finishing life’s race. The Greek word for crown, “stephanos,” was the word for the laurel wreath given to victors at the Olympic games (1 Corinthians 9:25). He tells Timothy (2 Timothy 4:18) about a crown of righteousness given through faith in Jesus’ righteousness. In 1 Thessalonians, He talks of a crown of rejoicing (2:19). Peter describes a crown of glory for believers in his first letter, Chapter 5 Verse 4. Perhaps Jesus did speak this way during His ministry. We know from John there are many things He did and said not recorded in the gospels.
Read the five crown passages. Turn them into a prayer of thanksgiving.
