James 1:12 … To endure temptation (10/05/16)
“Blessed is anyone who endures temptation.”
~ James (James 1:12)
When reading this verse, it is wise to remember that James was the “Saint of Doing” – the disciple who seemingly more deeply understood Jesus’ teachings than most others; the man who focused on works as the enlivener of all real Faith; the one who knew that mere mental faith without works is nothing of worth or merit.
As such, in the context of this Wise Man’s work, we must understand that the only way to truly “endure temptation” is to actively replace it with its opposite inclination – to replace the temptation to hoard with deeds of bold Giving, to replace the temptation to critically judge with humble exhortations of encouragement, to replace the temptation to complain with active displays of Gratitude, to replace the temptation of revenge with radical acts of Forgiveness.
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