"Endurance is the fertile ground where your Christ-like character grows."
There is an old saying, "God accepts you just as you are!" Amen. But God never allows you to stay there in that state. God is Love, and anyone that comes to Him is accepted in love. But in love, you are brought step by step closer to Him and into His light. That brings pain.
As you are exposed to the holiness of God, your weaknesses are also exposed. To overcome those weaknesses, you must endure temptation so that when you have been proven, those weaknesses are no longer a stumbling block. By design, temptations come based on your weaknesses. (James 1:13-14) The trials or events stemming from those temptations are aimed at strengthening your godly Christian character…not weaken it.
“Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” James 1:12 NKJV
If you fall, the effort made getting up will build your resistance. The progress made from rising above temptation increases your faith and sets you apart. The end-goal for these trials and temptations are to prune your ungodly character to the point where all people see in you is Christ. (Galatians 2:20)
"…then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment," 2 Peter 2:9 NKJV
It is our fleshly desires that gives temptation opportunity. When we give into desires of our mind and flesh, we stumble and fall. For what purpose? To destroy us? No, in Christ Jesus’ precious name. (1 John 2:1) Rather, to humble and reveal in you who you are in the light of God. (John 3:20) It is when the light of God exposes who we are at our worse that the same revelation gives birth to remorse and repentance making way for real change in your spiritual character.
"And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance(a); and perseverance, character(b); and character, hope." Romans 5:3-4 NKJV (literal translation; (a) endurance; (b) approved character)
Endurance through temptation is not just surviving, although I can tell you from experience, at times all I feel is that I barely survive! Endurance is the fertile ground where your Christ-like character grows. To be “Christ-like” is the goal and prize at the end of the race. (2 Timothy 4:7-8) To one day appear before Christ and His God and Father (Revelations 3:12) with a proven character, hearing those words "Well done good and faithful servant" (Luke 19:17) will be a moment you will remember for all eternity.
Don’t give in to temptation, don't treat it lightly, and DO NOT ever give up if you stumble or fall. Get up! At some point, the temptations that once made you stumble will have no power over you. Endure temptation through prayer and thanksgiving. (Philippians 4:6-7) Always press on thanking God for all things, even the trials if you’re strong enough. And if you’re not strong enough today, in time, you will be. (James 1:2-4)
God bless you in Christ Jesus the Lord, always.
* Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
* Article itself Copyright © 2020 by WordwaswithGod.com
* Links to verses provided by BibleGateway.com