James 1:12

 James 1:12 says, 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.  James said those who endured temptation were blessed, since when they had their faith tried and didn’t give in to temptation, they would receive a crown of life from the Lord, which He has promised to those who love Him.  We aren’t to look for things that tempt us, but there will be many things that do.  Then, when we are tempted, we need to just remain faithful to God by the power of the Holy Spirit living in us.  

Verse thirteen adds, Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:  James then tells us that we should never say that temptation comes from God, which would put the blame for our failure on Him.  He further plainly states that God does not tempt anyone.  God may allow our faith to be tested by temptation, but He will never be the source of the temptation.  

Verse fourteen continues, But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.  James added that when we are tempted, it is by our own lusts, and I would add by Satan who knows how to tempt us.  

Verse fifteen concludes, Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.  James said that lust begins in our thoughts and when it takes over, we give in to sin.  If we do something sinful without knowing that it is sinful, it is not the same as just knowingly giving in to sin.  

Verse sixteen states, Do not err, my beloved brethren.  James then challenged his brothers to not err in their faith and by insinuation give in to sin.  We cannot be faithful to God if we err in our faith.  

Verse seventeen adds, Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.  James said that all good and perfect gifts come from God above.  He also said that these gifts were from the Father of lights, in whom there is no variableness.  God will never change His standards to allow people to live with unrepentant sin. 

Verse eighteen continues, Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.  James said that God brings us salvation through Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son.  We are to be the first fruits of God’s gift of salvation when we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.  We will never be a second or third generation Christian in God’s view, but when we accept His gift of salvation, we are always a part of the first fruit.