Every Day Is One Step Closer

James 1: 12
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will
receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
INDTRODUCTION
Every time we wake in the morning is a
fresh opportunity to fulfill our God-given
tasks. But just like any other competition
we can never expect things to be easy.
There shall be obstacles along the road that
we need to overcome.
Blessed is the man who perseveres
under trial, because when he has
stood the test, he will receive the
crown of life that God has promised
to those who love him.
-James 1: 12
• We said that every day we wake up in the
morning we get one step closer. But we have to
be pretty sure on where are we getting closer to.
• OUR OBSTACLE COURSE IS OF
A DIFFERENT KIND.
• It is characterized by constant choosing between
right and wrong.
• And our daily choice(decision) will lead us to a
totally different ultimate destination.
1 Kings 3:9(Holman Christian Standard Bible)

So give Your servant an obedient heart to judge Your people and to

discern between good and evil.
James 1:1-12
Gives us directions on how to make the right choice.
1. Know your identity.
“James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, xxx”
-James 1:1

In other translation you will see:

“James, a bond servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ”
Bond servant in the ancient Roman context
• Slaves were considered property under Roman law and had no legal
personhood.
 I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. Just as you used to offer the
parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to escalating wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to
righteousness leading to holiness. For when you were slaves to sin, you were free of obligation to
righteousness.
Romans 6:19-20
Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in
the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
2. In all things give thanks to the Lord.-in trial or in
happiness.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,a whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you
know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4Let perseverance finish its work so that you
may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask
God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
-James 1:2-5
Be Thankful Even During The trials
3. Trust God’s Answer even if it is not what you expect.
But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the
sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.
Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.
James 1:6-8
Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. But the rich should take
pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with
scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way,
the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.
-James 1:9-11
High Position
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you
may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
1 Peter 2:9
Know your limitations
Then I will say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take it easy.
Eat, drink, and be merry!”’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be
required of you. Then who will own’ what you have accumulated? This is how it will be for anyone
who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich toward God.”
Luke 20:19-21
“BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY YOU ARE STILL ONLY A
MAN WHO DEPENDS ON GOD”