James 1:12-18

Testing of Your Faith

¹² _u Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive _v the crown of life, _w which God has promised to those who love him. ¹³ Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. ¹⁴ But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. ¹⁵ Then desire _x when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and _y sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

¹⁶ Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. ¹⁷ _z Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from _a the Father of lights _b with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. ₁ ¹⁸ _c Of his own will he _d brought us forth by the word of truth, _e that we should be a kind of _f firstfruits of his creatures.

1. Cross References
   James 5:11
   Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
   Matthew 10:22
   And you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
   1 Peter 3:14
   But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled.
   Daniel 12:12
   Blessed is he who waits and arrives at the 1,335 days.
   
2. Cross References
   Revelation 2:10
   Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
   Revelation 3:11
   I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.
   1 Corinthians 9:25
   Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.
   2 Timothy 4:8
   Henceforth there is laid up for me 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 loved his appearing.
   1 Peter 5:4
   And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
   
3. Cross References
   James 2:5
   Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?
   
4. Cross References
   Job 15:35
   They conceive trouble and give birth to evil, and their womb prepares deceit.
   Psalms 7:14
   Behold, the wicked man conceives evil and is pregnant with mischief and gives birth to lies.
   Isaiah 59:4
   No one enters suit justly; no one goes to law honestly; they rely on empty pleas, they speak lies, they conceive mischief and give birth to iniquity.
   
5. Cross References
   Romans 5:12
   Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned -
   Romans 6:23
   For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
   
6. Cross References
   Psalms 85:12
   Yes, the Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase.
   John 3:27
   John answered, "A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven.
   1 Corinthians 4:7
   For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?
   
7. Cross References
   1 John 1:5
   This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
   
8. Cross References
   Malachi 3:6
   For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.
   
9. Cross References
   John 1:13
   Who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
   
10. Cross References
    Galatians 4:19
    My little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you!
    1 Peter 1:3
    Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
    1 Peter 1:23
    Since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God.
    
11. Cross References
    Ephesians 1:12
    So that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.
    
12. Cross References
    Jeremiah 2:3
    Israel was holy to the Lord, the firstfruits of his harvest. All who ate of it incurred guilt; disaster came upon them, declares the Lord.
    Revelation 14:4
    It is these who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins. It is these who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These have been redeemed from mankind as firstfruits for God and the Lamb.
    Romans 8:19 - 23
    For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.