Marks of True and False Religion — Aaron Hurst

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That's the only way we're going to be more than conquerors. Through the blood. Open your Bibles to James. James, chapter 1. I would like to share a message from the book of James. This morning, I've been blessed how the Lord has ordered the service up till now.

Just trust Him to continue to speak to our hearts. Can we stand together in prayer? Father, we quiet our hearts before you, Lord. We thank you for your word. We thank you for the opening message. We thank you for the children's lesson, God.

We thank you for the worship time together, Lord. Father, now we just do ask in Jesus' name that you would continue to bless your word. Father, we pray for the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ upon every heart, upon every hearer, to receive with meekness the word of God.

Father, we stand in need of you, Lord. God, I just pray that you would have mercy upon your servant, Lord. Wash me in the blood. Touch my lips, O God. That I may speak the oracles of God, Lord, as I ought, Father.

And Father, we trust you by your Spirit to quicken your word to our hearts, Lord. Bless all those that have come, Father. Those that may listen by way of tape. Maybe those that are at home with sick children.

O Lord, bless your word to our hearts. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen. You may be seated. I want to go through the book of James' first chapter this morning, Lord willing. Just give a little introductory notes to the book of James.

There are three different mentions of James in the scriptures. I believe three different Jameses are referred to. The authorship of this James is probably the brother of our Lord Jesus. Most often agreed upon by those who have searched it out.

It being likely the brother of our Lord who wrote this epistle. James, as he addressed this letter and he wrote it, it was quite clear that it is addressed to the Jewish Christians. He says to those who are scattered abroad.

He brings greetings to the twelve tribes which were scattered abroad. So it seems to be that it has an emphasis or a word of God to the Jewish Christians. But I believe also that includes us this morning.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God and we are to receive it as such. But it is good to just look at some introductory notes here to this letter that was written. We see that in the book of Acts chapter 2 there were Jews in Jerusalem from other nations.

Those that were scattered abroad. In Acts 11 we see that many of the Jewish Christians were scattered abroad because of persecution in Jerusalem. The study of the book here as to when it was written, it seems to have been written in about A .D. 50.

And the basic theme that is in the book of James. Some of the different studies that I've done is woven throughout the letters seem to be two themes pretty clearly. And I'll look at them from a couple of different angles this morning as well.

One of the writers would say the two themes are persecution from outside the fellowship and also problems within the fellowship. The believers were experiencing trials and James was encouraging them. And they were also experiencing divisions and sins within the assembly.

And James sought to bring words that would be helpful in their seeing those needs and turning in repentance. Now sometimes we've heard people say that James stands in contrast to Paul in his writings.

And that there is a conflict in the gospel of James in the matter of justification by faith. But I don't believe that that is so as you look in the book of James and you follow it through. James very clearly believed in justification by faith as Paul taught in the book of Romans and so forth.

But he also took it into a practical everyday reality and said that if your faith doesn't have a practical outworking and there is no works to it and there's no substance or meat to it, then it is dead, being alone.

So I don't see them as contradictory or opposing opinions, but rather that it is God, as our brother Jeff said, just revealing another light, another greater dimension of who he is and what he requires from his people.

James, we can read, he was an apostle of the circumcision. So it seems very clear that he was writing and his focus or his emphasis in ministry and calling was more to the circumcision to the Jewish people, which we can read in Galatians 2 .9.

It tells us there that James and Caiaphas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace was given unto me. They gave unto me and Barnabas, the right hand of fellowship, that we should go unto the heathen, but they, unto the circumcision, they meaning James and Caiaphas and John.

As I've looked at the analysis of the book from a number of different authors who have done that, there seems to be the one in my own Bible here, if you have a Thompson Chain reference Bible, you can go back and look at the analysis of the book and you can see what they have given here as the analysis and they say that most of the materials in the book of James can be arranged under two headings and that is true and false religions.

And I believe too that that is also true, that James speaks very specifically and very clearly of the marks of true religion and of also the marks of false religion. A religion that is a vain religion and it's not founded upon the true promises of God and obedience toward God.

I so appreciate the way the Lord has led in the service. I feel it just fits beautifully to what the Lord has laid on my heart. I do desire to, by the grace of God, go through the book of James here, first chapter, today, Lord willing.

And I just want to look at this a bit here as we look at this first chapter here and take the word of God as it comes to us this morning. James chapter one and verse one. James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

Now, I want to first of all notice that James introduces himself as a servant of God. Paul referred to him as an apostle, but James, when he introduces himself, he says, I am a servant of God and I'm a servant of Jesus Christ.

And so we see the humility of James as he opens up his letter and he addresses his letter to the circumcision or to the Christians that he wrote there to, I believe, which was to the Jewish Christians to a greater extent.

But he doesn't introduce himself as an apostle. He comes with humility, he comes with grace upon his heart and says, I am but a servant, I am a slave, I am a bondservant. And at that word servant, if you look it up in the Strong's definition or the Thayer's, it says those whose service is used by Christ in extending and advancing his cause among men, used of the apostles, that's that definition there.

So as we look at this book of James here in the first chapter this morning, if I were to title this message, I would title it Marks of True and False Religion, an exposition of the book of James chapter one.

So for the title this morning, Marks of True and False Religion, an exposition of the book of James chapter one. As we go on through this chapter, we see in verse two he says, My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into diverse temptations.

So he speaks to the brethren. In James you will find that word quite often used. He speaks to the brethren. He says, My brethren. He's speaking to the brothers who are in Christ. He's speaking to the community of faith, those who are in the faith in Christ Jesus.

My brethren. And now he gets into the message. And the first one that we want to look at here, I'll give some titles or points as we go through this message. Point number one of the Marks of True Religion is joy and patience in the midst of trials.

He says, My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into diverse temptations. Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Now, as we look at trials and we look at temptations and testings. He says our response or the mark of a true Christian's response is a response of joy. And I have to admit this morning when I face trials and testings, it's not my natural response to rejoice in the midst of trial.

And I believe we could say that this morning. I believe we can see from the light of the eternal perspective of our God who loves us. And that the trying of our faith is more precious than gold. God is after something in our lives.

He wants to refine us and He wants to purify us and He wants to bring us forth like gold. He wants to burn out the dross. He wants to take away those things that hinder and mar the testimony of Jesus in us.

So He says, My brethren, count it joy. And as I look that word up, it says the cause of highest joy. Nothing but joy. When you fall into and that word falling into has the meaning of unexpected trials.

Everything is going well in your life and then here comes a trial and it just hits you unexpected. So as to be encompassed about by a trial. When you fall into temptations and I want to define this word temptations here.

This word temptations I don't believe is meaning at all an allurement to sin. But rather it's a trial which tests our character. It tests our commitment. It tests our genuineness. It tests who we really are in Christ.

Whether we're real or not. Or whether we're phony. God allows these trials because He wants to purify us. He wants to bring forth gold out of our lives. Therefore He says count it joy when these testings come.

They purify our character. As we look at the book of James and we look at more of a panoramic view of all the books of the chapters in James. We can see that He was writing to those who were sick and those who were afflicted.

In James 5 .11 He says, or 13, those that are sick, those that are afflicted. And He acknowledges that not all is a bed of roses. Not all is just glory hallelujah and health and wealth. But Christians do suffer.

And they suffer under trials. And they sometimes get sick. And they sometimes are afflicted. And they are in severe testings and tryings. And all sorts of afflictions. But if we can see the hand of God.

That every trial that comes our way to the child of God is a masterpiece of strategy of the captain of our salvation for our good. He has a plan. He has a purpose in these trials. I think of a testimony of a man who said that I will not glory in myself.

I will not glory in who I am for God. I will not boast about how many souls I have saved. I will not boast about how many people and how many nations and tribes have heard the gospel through me. But there is one thing I will glory in.

And one thing I will boast in. And that is in mine infirmities. And that was Paul the apostle in 2 Corinthians 12. He said I will glory in mine infirmities. And he says how that there was a messenger of Satan given unto him a thorn in the flesh.

A messenger of Satan to buffet me lest I should be exalted above measure. And he says I prayed and I besought the Lord thrice that this thing should depart from me. But God said my grace is sufficient for thee for my strength is made perfect in weakness.

Now look at his response. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in mine infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Isn't that what we want brothers and sisters? Do we not want the power of Christ to rest upon us?

And therefore for the power of Christ to rest upon us we must be broken. We must be purified. We must be refined like gold in the fire. And the Lord says that he will sit there as a purifier of the sons of Levi.

And God has a purpose. He wants to refine us and purify us. I believe Paul understood this. That is why he could say though I have been beaten. Though I have been shipwrecked. Though I have been in hunger.

Though I have been in cold. Though I have been in fasting. Though I have been in peril of robbers and all these sorts of things. And yea even in peril of my own countrymen. Yet I know this one thing. And in this one thing will I glory.

That all of these things are working together for the good. Because I love my Lord Jesus. And my God is sovereignly in control. And every temptation and every trial that comes into my life. God has a purpose for refining my life.

He says therefore I take pleasure in infirmities and in reproaches. And in necessities and in persecutions. And in distresses for Christ's sake. For when I am weak. Then I am strong. Most gladly. Therefore.

Will I glory in my infirmities. That the power of Christ may rest upon me. Count it all joy. When you fall into diverse temptations. Knowing this. Knowing this. Let us not be ignorant of this fact. But knowing this.

That the trials that come our way. God. Sovereign Lord of the universe. Says to the devil. And he is testing Job. You can go that far. But no farther. That's it. God will not allow you to be tried above what you are able.

But will with every trial make a way of escape. Or every temptation. Now that can be a temptation to evil. But I believe also we can say that same word temptation. Can be also referred to as a trial. God will not allow you to be tried above what you are able.

But he'll make a way of escape. That ye may be able to bear it. You know that way of escape. Sometimes we think of that. That oh well we'll just fly away like a bird. And we'll escape out of it. But God says that ye may be able to bear it.

Sometimes a trial is not removed. Just like in Paul's situation. God did not choose to take away that thorn in the flesh. That infirmity. But he said my grace is sufficient for thee. And Paul understood that in my weakness of my flesh.

Then can Christ Jesus be glorified and magnified in my life. Because then he is strong. And I am weak. Knowing this that the trying of your faith works as patience. And patience means endurance. It works endurance in your life.

You know that trying. That proving. It's an exercise. And when you are exercised in the trying of your faith. It brings forth a beautiful fruit afterward. At the time it doesn't seem very pleasant. The Bible does say that very clearly.

At the time of chasing. At the time of trials. It's not pleasant. But afterward to those who are exercised. It yields a beautiful fruit of righteousness. And as I think of this trying of our faith. It works as patience.

It works as endurance. Knowing the proving of your faith. It worketh endurance. In Romans 5 verse 1 through 5. And you don't need to turn there. We see another picture of this. Paul says being justified by faith.

We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. By whom we also have access by faith into this grace. Wherein ye stand and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. And that's beautiful. Oh we love that.

And that is right. That is true. That is true of Romans 5 he says. And not only so. But we glory in tribulation also. See a lot of the gospel that is being preached today. It's a gospel of easy believism.

And it will make you happy. It will make you healthy. It will make you wealthy. And they do not preach about that you must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of heaven. They don't say that there are sufferings and persecutions awaiting you.

And you give your life to Christ. They don't tell you that. You give your life to Jesus and you will be happy. And God will bless your life. Yes God will bless your life. And blessed is he that has the Lord Jesus Christ as his savior.

Blessed is he whose sins are forgiven. Praise God. And happy is that person. But there is also a side to this. That not only do we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. And we stand by faith.

But not only so he says. But we glory in tribulation also. Because we understand that knowing this. That tribulation worketh patience. And we experience and experience hope. And I like this. And hope maketh not ashamed.

Glory. Because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost. So. Let patience have her perfect work. Because as we are exercised. As God puts us through the testings. There is a perfect work.

That will come forth. Out of the lives of those who are tested and tried. He says let patience have her perfect work. That ye may be perfect and entire. Wanting nothing. And that let patience. I would like to clarify that as meaning endurance.

Let endurance have her perfect work. Those who endure. Those who steadfastly continue. In patience and endurance. Let it have its full effect. This perfect work. Let it have its full effect. Showing perfect endurance.

You know when you think of a perfect work. You know I say well I know I am not perfect. And I haven't arrived. But I want us to look at this in a little bit of a different light. That perfect work is an endurance.

That God is working in you. And that endurance. And that seeing it from God's perspective. That when we are in these trials. We can glory in them. Because we know that God is working. A work in us. So that we may be perfect and entire.

And not be lacking. Not be found in the want. Not be found incomplete. Because He wants to complete us in Him. That we can rejoice. And let patience have her perfect work. Which is namely a joy in the cross.

That God allows to come into our life. Let endurance have her perfect work. Jesus said he that endures to the end shall be saved. Let there be an enduring. And that ye may be perfect He says. Let patience have her perfect work.

That ye may be perfect. And that word perfect again. I believe it means that you may be fully developed. In the attributes of a Christian. That you may grow in the attributes of Christ likeness. That you may be perfect.

And that you may be developed. And that you may be entire. With all its parts complete. Wanting nothing. Oh that's beautiful. And false religion. True religion. True religion. Is patient. In the midst of trials.

And I want to encourage you this morning. You know we don't maybe always respond right at the beginning of a trial. But God is long suffering with us. He doesn't just immediately cut us off. But He works with us.

He tempers the heat just right. He will not allow you to be tempted above what you're able. No matter what you're facing. No matter what difficulties in life. No matter what persecutions. God's grace is sufficient.

For us. Marks of true religion. Is an unwavering faith. And singleness of mind. Let us go on in verse 5. If any of you lack wisdom. Let him ask of God that giveth to all men liberally. And upbraideth not.

And it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith. Nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like the wave of the sea. Driven with the wind and tossed. Let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord.

A double minded man. Is unstable. In all his ways. True religion. Is marked. With an unwavering faith. If any man lack wisdom. Let him ask of God. And it shall be given him. It's beautiful. Beautiful promise.

God will give. But this entireness. This completeness in Christ. This going through these trials. Is not an easy attainment. We must. Not shrink from the cross. We must not shrink. From the suffering and the trial.

But when we're in the trial. Cry out to God. For wisdom. With an unwavering faith. That believes God. When he says. Let him ask of God. That giveth to all men liberally. I like that. God isn't stingy.

He doesn't hold back. He doesn't give you just a little bit. He'll give you sufficient. For the trial that you're facing. You know it reminds me of the testimonies of people in the past. Who when they were in great trial of affliction.

And we could turn over there to Hebrews and read. How that they were sawed asunder. And they were chased. And hunted down like. Like sheep for the slaughter. But by faith they overcame. By faith they endured.

And they saw him who's invisible. They had their hearts and minds fixed upon God. And by faith they were able to do those things. They also saw mighty wonders of God. And the dead being raised to life.

And things like that. You know they saw God working in many beautiful ways. But some. They were cast into prison. And they were killed. And it tells us in Revelation. Some of ye shall be cast into prison.

And ye shall be killed for my name's sake. For he that keepeth his faith. And endures unto the end. Oh he shall receive a beautiful crown of life. That fadeth not away. So don't be afraid what man can do unto you.

Jesus says. I believe it's Matthew 10. Don't be afraid what man shall do unto you. But rather fear God. And unwavering faith. Ask with simplicity. I was so blessed this morning in the prayer room. A brother shared how.

His little child asking for an egg. And at first he wasn't going to give him an egg. Then the words of Jesus came to him. If your son ask an egg. Will you give him an egg? So he gave him an egg. And his son asked for some bread.

And he gave him some bread. Are you hungry this morning? Jesus is that bread. That came down from heaven. Your fathers did eat manna. In the wilderness. And they're dead. But the bread that comes down from heaven.

The Lord Jesus. Oh whosoever eateth and drinketh of him. Shall have eternal life. And shall live by him. Ask of God. Believing him. He upbraideth not. You know and that's. God is so good. He gives to those who come.

Asking. Without upbraiding them. And he could upbraid us if he would. Maybe about our past ingratitudes. For what he did for us. And we just took it for granted. We didn't even. Stop to thank him. Like those nine levers.

One came back and gave glory to God. And the others. Went off their way. God doesn't upbraid. He doesn't throw things in our face. And say well if you would. You would be more faithful yourself. Or whatever.

But God. Honors the simplicity of faith. That comes believing. Lord. I'm in need. I have nothing. God I need. Wisdom. And it shall be given him. Finally a little interesting. Quote here from the Jewish.

Religion. Let me not have need of gifts of men. Whose gifts are few. But their upbraidings manifold. But give me out of thy large hand. Oh Lord. You know when you look at Solomon. Solomon's prayer for wisdom.

God gave him the wisdom he asked. And so much more. God hears every true prayer. And grants you the thing asked. Or something better. Hallelujah. Just as a good physician. A good doctor. He'll give what is best for the patients.

Health and well being. It might hurt at the moment. But the doctor knows better. And he says. We must go through this. If we don't get rid of this. Cancer. You're gonna die. If we don't take that. Gangrene out of your leg.

It's gonna spread to the rest of your body. God hears every true prayer. And he answers. Giving the thing asked. Or something better. If he sees it's not for our good. He won't give it. Just for our temporary gratification.

Or for immediate satisfaction. But he says. No my son. I have something better for you. Let him ask in faith not wavering. Cause he that wavereth. That wavering. That's like wavering between. Belief. And unbelief.

And may I say it so. This morning that you know. I think we need our eyes opened. I feel I do. In a greater way. Unbelief is sin. The children of Israel entered not in. Because of unbelief. And somehow I think we as Christians.

We sort of think we can go along. And we can choose to believe God here. And when we can see it also. And walk by our sight. But God says. You know we walk by faith. We walk by faith and not by sight.

But that doesn't mean that we just go. Haphazardly about our lives. And we. We tempt God. You know and just throw things out there. And say well. Lord I'm going to jump off. The edge of the cliff. And I have faith you're going to save me.

That's how the devil came to Jesus. And said well just jump off. Just jump off the pinnacle. And you know. Bible says his angels will catch you. Jesus said oh no. You should not tempt the Lord your God.

So let us. Let us have an understanding. You know faith is. A faith that is persuaded. Of the things of God. And what God. Has spoken and said that he wants to do. It's not some. It's not something where I.

Step out and do something stupid. And then expect God to. Intervene for me. And yet the Lord is gracious toward us. If he had dealt with me. According to all my stupid things. I wouldn't be here. But I just want to encourage us.

You know a reality of faith. That is that is real. And it's. It has its hope rooted and grounded. In the scriptures. Asking in faith. Believing God. He that wavereth. You know. He that wavereth. You know when I think of being.

Driven with the wind. To me that speaks of something. That is without. External circumstances. Pushing us around. Trying to get us off. From the foundation of a. Steadfast rooted. Grounded conviction in Christ.

Driven with the wind. All the voices from without. Coming at us from every direction. No don't you do that. Don't you believe that. Why don't you just give up your silly notion. You know. Jesus himself.

It says could do no mighty work. Or a mighty miracle in his own hometown. Because there was such unbelief. I mean it's. It's staggering to think. You know the. The power. Of. Bondage in people's lives.

Through unbelief. The blindness of heart through unbelief. And there's many voices shouting from without. You know there was two spies who believed God. But there was twelve. Or ten. No there was ten who did not.

Right. There was twelve sent to believe. Ten did not. And the ten were very vehement. In trying to get their point across. Even to the stirring up of all the people. Stone these believers. We don't want to live by faith.

Moses. Feed us some manna. Give us some bread. Why do we have to go in there and fight those giants. We can never do it. And they stirred up the people. Unbelief. The sin of unbelief. And we can read it right here in the New Testament.

These things were written for our admonition. And he tells us. Beware. Lest ye have an evil heart of unbelief. In departing from the living God. And he points right back to them. He tells us very clearly that.

The winds that blow. It tosses the waves. And there is. That which is without. And then I think of tossed. You know driven and tossed. From that which is within. Could we say. You know you've heard the expression.

You know I was tossing. And turning. All night. The warfare is raging within. The cost of being a disciple of Jesus Christ. Going through this trial. Or taking. The easier road. Brother Jeff. Taking the easier road.

We'll just get off the highway of holiness. A little bit. Tossed. In its own instability. One time. On the shore of faith and hope. And the next time. Told back into unbelief. And just. You know there.

Often. Men hang in the balance. A double minded man. Is unstable in all his ways. And that double minded has the meaning of double souled. I looked it up in the Bible dictionary. It's like. I want to live.

My life. In my soulish. Desires and flesh. But I also want to. Be a child of God. And today with the another Christ. Gospel that is being preached. They say you can have it. You can have it your way. You can have Jesus as your Savior.

And you can enjoy all the pleasures of this world. And live in the flesh. And just live it up. But God doesn't say that. He says the double minded man. He's unstable. And that has the meaning of a double souled.

He's divided in his loyalties. He's directed toward God. And yet directed toward something else. He's unstable. He's unwavering. I looked that word up in Webster's 1828 dictionary. Double minded. It says having different minds at the same time.

Unsettled. Wavering. Unstable and refers to James right here. The 1828 Webster's dictionary. Will take those Bible words. And give a definition. Which I really appreciate that. That's a challenge to our hearts this morning.

Are we single minded? Single eyed on the Lord? Or is there an unsettledness? And an instability? And a wavering? Let not that man think he shall receive anything of the Lord. He makes it so practical.

He makes it so clear. He doesn't beat around the bush. He says you ask and believe God. And you're going to receive. But if you are going to waver. And you're going to be double minded. Don't think you're going to receive anything from God.

Marks of true religion. True Christianity is acceptance of. Providential. Providential. Talents God has given. Providential. Gift things God has given. And we see that in James 9. James 1 verses 9. Through 10 he says.

Let the brother of low degree rejoice. In that he is exalted. But the rich in that he is made low. Because as the flower of the grass. He shall be made low. And he shall pass away. You know it's an acceptance.

With what God has given me. It's an acceptance. With the way God made me. He says let the brother of low degree rejoice. In that he is exalted. He can be. He can rejoice that he's exalted. He's been accepted in the family of God.

Through the Lord Jesus Christ. And he's faith in Jesus Christ. He's an heir and a child of God. Just like that other brother. And you know you look around you. You look at the Corinthians. Where he talks about the different gifts in the body.

And the comely parts. And the seemly parts. That are not so seen. And they're not quite so honorable. But God has placed them all in the body. As he pleased him. And so let the brother of low degree rejoice.

That he is exalted. And let the one that is rich. In that he is made low. Because as the flower of grass. He shall pass away. You know the rich. Because I don't need God. When they. Come to see that they need God.

It brings much rejoicing. Because. The richest stood. In opposition to God. And to see the need of their heart. And so the rich can rejoice. In that he is made low. Do you know of any people like that?

They forsook their riches. They forsook their corporate world. They forsook their businesses. Because. They met Jesus. At the cross. And they were made low. They were humbled. And they were shown their need.

Of a savior. And they're brought low. They're not haughty anymore. They are not cocky and proud. And corporate CEO. Of this big corporation. Now they're made low. But oh. They should rejoice. Because.

True. Greatness. Is to be a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. To know him. You know the design. Is to reduce all things to an equal footing. I like that. The ground is level at the cross. You know. Rich and poor.

Bond and free. Greek, Gentile, Jew. All made one. In the blood of his cross. You have a. True religious. Person who is. And I should hardly hate to use the word religion. Marks of a true Christian. You know.

Who is identified as a true Christian. Is he endures temptation. James 11 verse 11. James 1 verse 11. No sooner is the sun risen with a burning heat. But it withers the grass. And the flower thereof falleth.

And the grace of the fashion of it perishes. So also shall the rich man. Fade away in his ways. Blessed is the man. That endures temptation. For when he is tried. He shall receive the crown of life. Which the Lord has promised to them that love him.

You know it doesn't matter. How much property we own. It doesn't matter. How much money we have in the bank. It doesn't matter how rich we are. He says. As the grass withereth. The flower thereof falleth.

And the grace of the fashion of it perishes. So also shall the rich man. Fade away in his ways. You know how sad. If all we have. Is riches in this world. That man with his barns. I'm going to build bigger.

But he was not rich toward God. You know all the fashion of it. All the glory of it. All the pride and pump of it. All going to pass away. Even the rich man. Even if it's cloaked over. With a false cloak of humility.

Also shall the rich man. Fade away. Shall fade away. Verse 12. Got ahead of myself there a little bit. Verse 12. Marks of a true Christian. One that is real. He endures temptation. Blessed is the man that endures temptation.

For when he is tried. He shall receive the crown of life. Which the Lord has promised to them that love him. Hallelujah. Not falling into. But enduring. Of temptation. Is a cause for joy. Enduring trials.

And testings. For when he is tried. And when he has come through it. Having passed through the trying. All he comes through. With a victorious faith. In God. It says. He shall receive the crown of life.