James 1:9-12

⁹ Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. ¹⁰ But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. ¹¹ For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business. ¹² Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

Beauty Contestants

It may not be vocally announced, but many individuals implied secret desire of glorious popularity. If you have social media account, you can easily identify individuals who frequently post their beauty online. Subscribers are also ready to give their “likes” or “thumb ups” and hope to be reciprocated when they update their own profiles.

Thanks to advance technology, popularity is well compensated financially. It has monetary value somehow! And, beauty contests amplify popularity to winners.

Videos of winners in beauty contest being crowned are posted online. Sadly, not all beauty contestants can easily accept defeat, not being crowned. Some participants in the beauty contest have obviously displayed their sorry feelings of not getting a crown. They just cannot hide their envy for long; and, they grabbed the crown from the winner.

Well, what is so significant about the crown? Why don’t they just saved much money and buy their own crown; they can even choose a design they may prefer, right?

Crown is supposed to be a symbol of glory, royalty, power, sovereignty and dignity. Truly, that is worth coveting and aspiring for, right? It doesn’t require much explanation why beauty contestants cannot easily accept it if they were not chosen as winners. Covetousness for power and glory is natural inclination of human sinful heart.

Have you observed that many godly commands start with, “Do not covet.” Why?

God commands us not to covet, but we instinctively covet. God forbids us not do it, but we instinctively do the very thing God forbids us to do. The human natural instinct is inclined to do anything ungodly, sinful and wicked in the eyes of God.

In comparison, when God commands us to do something, we resist, reject or ignore. Why? It is instinctive tendency of humanity to follow its sinful nature.

Can you truly trust that God’s commands are designed for our betterment? But why is it that, we are very slow to obey godly commands designed for our betterment? It is because our sinful nature desire sinfulness and rejects godliness. Moreover, godly commands can only be done when the Holy Spirit of God empowers us to obey him.

With godly wisdom, we can comprehend the essentiality of godly commands in our life. To ask the Lord for godly wisdom is another practical proof of faith in him.

Christ Jesus is the power and wisdom of God. When we accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, the Lord sent the Holy Spirit of Christ into our heart; and, we receive power and wisdom of God when. Can you believe that? So, how can we know practically that we have received the Holy Spirit of Christ Jesus, the power and wisdom of God?

When godly wisdom at work in us, we desire Christ to lead, guide, lord over us. When the Holy Spirit of Christ empowers us, we follow a lifestyle of obedience to him.

Christ Jesus is the Truth. His words are true. Can you accept that? He declared in Luke 11:28, ²⁸ Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.

Blessedness is glorious happiness. It is the simplest description of favorable and satisfying events, situations and circumstances as result of obedience to God. The best practical display of faith in the Lord is cheerful obedience to his godly instruction. Obedience to God attracts obstacle so that we need the empowerment of Christ’s Spirit. Why is it that there are difficult hindrances when we decide to obey the Lord.

Obstacles are godly filters to separate genuine believers from pretenders.

And, when faith is tested, genuine believers can persevere in the midst of trials.

1.  Believers

⁹ Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position.         

How could believers take pride in humble circumstances? How could humble circumstances be their high position? Do humble circumstances pertain to trials?

The Scripture advised us to consider as pure joy when trials test our faith. And, when we persevere; we grow spiritually mature. But most often we complain about difficulties. So, it is necessary to ask God for wisdom. Godly wisdom helps us to have strong confidence in the Lord, and to trust that he bless us when we obey him.

But if we have doubts, we cannot expect to receive godly wisdom; we cannot consider trials as pure joy. It follows that, we cannot persevere. So, we must keep praying for increase of faith, godly wisdom and empowerment of the Holy Spirit of God.

It is possible that God allows difficult challenges to test our faith in him and to help us grow in humility. But why would God wants us to be humble and take pride in such state of humility as high position? This humility is practical manifestation of God’s grace at work in us. It’s not just simple modesty, politeness, courteousness of some sort.

It says in Philippians 2:5-8, ⁵Have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: ⁶ Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; ⁷rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. ⁸And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!

Only by godly wisdom that we can understand that our ultimate goal as believers of Christ is to reach the humility of Jesus Christ, to have a mindset like him, so that, we can be obedient to the Lord and have confidence that he blesses us when we obey him.

The Lord allows us to encounter difficulties to bless us if we seek his help; it is by faith, we humbly seek wisdom from God, to solve and overcome our problems. Asking God for his help is active inspiration of his Holy Spirit; basically, it proves faith in him.

King David

King David was considered the greatest king of Israel. He personally testified in Psalm 149:4, For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory.

Do you know that King David had always been victorious in all his battles? So, what was his secret? He didn’t fail to rely upon the Lord, even when he knew what to do. After he defeated his enemies, he should have been very confident, right? But no! David did not completely rely upon his ability or capability of his soldiers. He inquired of the Lord of what to do. Did he perceive that similar situations can have different results?

There’s a time when King David defeated the Philistines twice. In 2 Samuel 5:18ff,

¹⁸The Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim; ¹⁹ so David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hands?” The Lord answered him, “Go, for I will surely deliver the Philistines into your hands.” ²⁰ So David went to Baal Perazim, and there he defeated them.

²² Once more the Philistines came up and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim; ²³ so David inquired of the Lord, and he answered, “Do not go straight up, but circle around behind them and attack them in front of the poplar trees. ²⁴ As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the poplar trees, move quickly, because that will mean the Lord has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army.” ²⁵ So David did as the Lord commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.

In similar situation, David inquired, and the Lord gave different strategy of attack.

When they faced the Philistines came again, most probably, the Israelites may have thought that if they use the same strategy they used previously, they will be victorious again. But when David inquired again, the Lord gave him different approach.

David was humble; he did not assumed that they can easily defeat the Philistines again. instead, he sought guidance from the Lord who gave them victory, to the humble.

What do you normally advise when your friend has similar problem that you had?

Even if we may know what to do, it is best to pray for godly wisdom and guidance. Praying is trust that God knows far above human expertise. Can you accept it?

With godly wisdom, we can prioritize things with eternal value; wealth, social status, physical appearance and beauty can be useful also to earn eternal treasure.

2.  Beauty

¹⁰ But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. ¹¹ For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.

What does it mean for the rich to take pride in their humiliation? It’s common observation that some rich people readily humiliate lowly people, ey? Many individuals don’t want to be humiliated, so, they exert much effort to earn more and get rich, right?

Can you easily understand this phrase, “the rich should take pride in their humiliation?” If so, we need to ask the Lord for godly wisdom and understand his word.

It also mentioned that, “with scorching heat of the sun, plants to wither; blossoms fall and beauty is destroyed. And, the rich is busy in his business but not forever.”

Well, rich or poor, the person has godly wisdom can realize that when his time to leave this world comes, all his hard work of accumulating much wealth is meaningless.

Is it not a humiliating reality when we exert our best effort to accumulate much wealth but only to leave them behind when we leave this world? With godly wisdom, we would rather use material wealth or social status to earn eternal treasures.

The Shrewd Manager

In a parable that Jesus told, a manager was accused of mismanagement. The boss ordered him to submit all financial documents. The manager sensed that he will be fired. So, he connived with debtors who borrowed money and told them to forge their bill into half the amount they should pay. The dishonest manager became friend of the debtors, and they welcomed him in their community after he was fired.

Luke 16:8-9 says, ⁸The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light. ⁹I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.

Truly, anything we have accumulated and attained from this world will be taken away from us eventually. With godly wisdom, we can accept peacefully that we are just managers of the things we get in this temporary world. We can still enjoy the things we have while we are alive, but don’t forget to prepare for your eternal residence.

Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 4:17-18, ¹⁷ Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. ¹⁸ I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.  ¹⁹And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

The Philippian church regularly sent missionary support to Apostle Paul. he did not ask them to support his mission ministry but, he gladly accepted their generosity; and, he also added “verse 19” as an assurance of sustenance from God. He also affirmed that their missionary support was credited or added to their eternal treasure.

Of course, we wish to please God, that is why we support mission ministries.

Mission and ministry support of any kind, financial, prayer or presence, are a fragrant offering, acceptable sacrifice pleasant to God. Believers who support missions and ministry activities are blessed; and, God will sustain their needs. That’s for sure!

Start praying for missions. If you are called to be missionary, wait for the perfect timing of God! Sooner, mission borders will be opened.

3.  Blessed

¹²Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

All of us will be tested. But, believers with genuine faith in Christ can persevere. Perseverance practically testifies that we have strong confidence in the Lord and his promise of eternal life to genuine believers. We overcome difficult concerns of life; we also trust that the Lord uses all circumstances for us to experience life to its fullness.

Does it mean that only Christian who can persevere will enter heaven? No. There will be Christians who genuinely believed in Christ but were not given enough chance for their faith to be tested to persevere and mature spiritually. But when we all enter heaven, a crown of life will be given only to believers who have persevered amidst trials.

See? All genuine believers of Christ will enter heaven and live with him for all eternity; but, there are believers who would be wearing many crowns.

5 Types of Crowns in Heaven

There are 5 eternal crowns in heaven with literal description in the Scripture. Eternal crowns symbolize treasure and glory awarded to children of the King of kings.

1. Crown of life: It says in James 1:12, ¹²Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
2. Crown of Righteousness: 2 Timothy 4:8, ⁸ The crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
3. Incorruptible crown: 1 Corinthians 9:25-27: ²⁵ Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. ²⁶ Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.  ²⁷ No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
4. Crown of glory: In 1 Peter 5:2-4: ² Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; ³ not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. ⁴ And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
5. Crown of Rejoicing: In 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20, ¹⁹ For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? ²⁰ Indeed, you are our glory and joy.

So, how many crowns do you hope to wear eternally in heaven?

What should we do to earn our eternal crowns?

What are the requirements of the Lord to awardees of eternal crown?

1. The crown of life is awarded to faithful believers who persevere and endures trials.
2. The crown of righteousness is given to believers who wait patiently Christ’s return.
3. The incorruptible crown or crown that will last forever will be earned by believers who practice their spiritual gifts intentionally, purposefully, deliberately and diligently.
4. The crown of glory will be awarded, primarily to all diligent ministry leaders, elders, deacons, pastors, teachers, missionaries, evangelists.

Listen: When you are nominated for ministry leadership, the Lord may have opened an opportunity for you to earn the crown of glory. It’s yours to take or miss.

5. The crown of rejoicing is exclusively given to disciples who make disciples.

Our church slogan is: A member has a disciple! We aim as a congregation of believers that every church member will eventually earn their crown of rejoicing. So, pray that God enables you to identify the person he prepared for you to disciple.

Could you imagine when we would be the loudest rejoicing believers in heaven?

Many individuals cannot appreciate their appearance or social status because they cannot qualify for beauty contest; they cannot hope to marry someone with royal blood.

Well, rejoice! The Lord knows your unspoken dream, which is why he gave us the Scripture for all believers to know our opportunities of preparation for eternal crowns.

What is the very purpose of eternal crown that we need to aspire for?

Crown is supposed to be a symbol of glory, royalty, power, sovereignty and dignity.

Eternal crowns are awarded to deserving children of the King of kings.

Believers are a royal priesthood, and we will reign with the Lord of lords forever, amen!

And every believer is a candidate to earn at least one eternal crown.

How many eternal crowns do you wish to have eternally?

><((‘> .. ><((‘> … ><(((“> tmec\2022 <“)))>< … <‘))>< .. <‘))><