"Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. 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. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death."
No trial ever seems like a blessing at the time, but we can be blessed through them. Blessing comes through steadfastness in trials. What is the promised blessing? The crown of life. What is that? Without cross referencing, just considering the passage itself, it seems like some kind of reward for living a full life to God's glory. What is the reward though? Perhaps the reward is the full life itself. However, Revelation 2:10 tends to call that into question. It says "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." If the crown of life is given after death, the crown can't be the life you lived. What is it then? I'm not sure.
After discussing the blessing gained through trials, a subtle but important distinction is made about where temptation comes from. God allows the temptation and works through it, but He Himself does not tempt us. Why would temptation be discussed at this point? Trials have been the focus and now there is a shift towards temptation. I've been told in the past, that the temptations here are the trials. But the discussion of temptation seems to be talking about sin, not trouble. Perhaps temptations are discussed here because there is always a temptation to not remain steadfast during trials. God does bring the trials, but the temptation, distinct from the trial, comes from our own desires. What desires? Perhaps the desire is to have things our way and not to trust God. This desire then leads us to actions and attitudes that put us into conflict with the revealed will of God. This course, unchecked, will inevitably lead to our death. That's quite different from a crown of life.
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