I. The Reward for steadfastness
- Present and future blessedness
- Blessed are those who endure and remain faithful under trial.
- God tests our faith not only to grow it but to literally test it. The legitimacy, genuineness, veracity of it.
- When we fail and fall we don’t feel blessed.
- The future reward is the crown of life. (Eg. Church at Smyrna)
- Literally, to those “loving him” - those who keep the faith.
- We are told to contemplate the inheritance that awaits us and be motivated by it.
II. The Rationale for Sin
- When people fail they tend to place the blame with God. When we place the blame on anything outside of ourselves we are blaming God.
- James says no - God is not the one who tempts us to sin.
- Cf. Proverbs 19:3
- God is not tempted with evil, and he does not tempt others.
- CF. Deut 6:16 - don’t tempt God.
III. The Responsibility for Sin
- The cause of sin is not external situations
- It’s starts because of our own desire (our fallen nature, “the flesh”)
- It lures and it entices like a bait lures and traps a fish.
- You always think sin will make you happier then it does.
IV. The Result of Sin
- When desires and will meet then sin is conceived.
- Then sin grows into death.
- We should get rid of sin