Mature Your Faith

The same heat that melts wax, hardens clay. Pressure doesn't break a man, it builds him. His faith is matured in conflict and under pressure. Faith under fire earns the crown of life. 

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Transcript

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Hey guys, this is Major Henry Hastings, and welcome to the SMC podcast: Restoring Biblical Masculinity by Raising Up Modern Day Minutemen in the natural and spiritual realms. This is where we tackle real issues men face from leadership and purity to history, spiritual warfare, and discerning the times at hand, like the sons of Issachar. So you can stand in the gap at a moment's notice. Let's get into it. All right, guys, our scriptural anchor for today is James chapter one, verses two through four. Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds. Pressure doesn't break a man, it builds him, it hones him. And the same heat that melts wax hardens clay, and that same heat causes impurities to rise to the surface that God wants to scrape away or deal with. Faith matures in conflict and under pressure. Peter talks about this in first Peter chapter one, verses six through seven. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it be tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ. The revelation of Jesus Christ is his appearing. You are going to stand before him and be reviewed for eternal rewards. This is no joke. I love to break this to you. There's no equality in the resurrection. Hebrews 11 35 alludes to this. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. So there's no equality in the resurrection. You must get an eternal perspective on the testing of your faith because it will echo in eternity. James chapter 1, verse 12 states, 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. Jesus says in Revelation chapter 2, verse 10, be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. This is the martyr's crown or the overcomer's crown for those who endure suffering, persecution, or death for the sake of Christ. It's also promised to anyone who remains steadfast through testing because of their love for him. For minute men who don't quit in hardship, who remain faithful in the trenches, even when it costs them everything, faith under fire earns the crown of life. There's another crown mentioned in 2 Timothy chapter 4, 7 and 8. He says, I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day, and not to me only, but also to all who have loved his appearing. This crown is given to those who long for Christ's return. Live with eternal perspective and remain faithful unto the end. Paul, nearing his execution, was not mourning his loss of life. He was anticipating his coronation, a reward ceremony. Men who live with mission ready, alert, pure, and watchful for the commander's return are going to receive this crown. Occupy till I come, the Lord said in Luke 19, 13. Welcome the testing of your faith and various trials because of what it can result in the praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ when your life is reviewed for eternal rewards. You can't pray for power and complain about pressure. They're part of the same package. So, Father, thank you for refining us through testing. Help us stand firm under pressure and find joy in the process. Make our faith unshakable, our focus unmovable, and our hearts pure. Give us an eternal perspective in Jesus' name. Amen. Thanks for tuning in to the SMC Podcast. If today's conversation encouraged you, share it with another man who needs to hear it. And don't forget, you can connect deeper inside the Forge, our free online community, or take your training to the next level with the loyal nine inside the SMC Tribe. Visit SMCTribe.com to join the Brotherhood. Until next time, trust God, keep your powder dry, and remember, as sons of God, liberty is our birthright.