Ever wonder what the Bible says will be given as a prize to the genuine servants of Christ? You've often heard it referred to as a crown, which, by definition, is a mark of royal or exalted rank, or a prize to the victor. These crowns represent eternal blessedness, which, in my book, sounds pretty good.
Woody Cumbie, pastor of Lifepointe Church in Carmel Indiana, recently shed some light on the subject. Here's an outline with a few definitions and added thoughts.
- Incorruptible: (1 Cor. 9:25) Imperishable. Immortal. But what is "it" referring to in this verse? It is referring to running the race. The Greek denotes run as to exert one's self, strive hard, to spend one's strength, and incur extreme peril, which it requires the exertion of all one's effort to overcome. In other words, give everything you've got. Giving it your all is doing "it" in such a way to get a prize, right? But to what are you giving everything you've got? What is the "race?" Proclaiming, sharing, declaring the Good News. Read verses 19-23, specifically, "I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings."
- Rejoicing: (1 Ths. 2:19)...with the people who will be in Heaven because you took the time to love on them and share your faith in Jesus Christ. I'm reminded of an older song by Ray Boltz (good song notwithstanding his current issues) called "Thank You." The song is a reminder to stay and do well in the race, to do our best to make a difference, to "drag" as many people into Heaven as we possibly can. It's a song about lives that were changed through one person.
- Glory: (1 Pet.5:4) Magnificence, excellence, preeminence, dignity, grace. The glorious condition of blessedness into which is appointed and promised that true Christians shall enter after their Savior's return from heaven. The glory crown is a reward for caring, "for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God." (1 Pet.5:2)
- Righteousness: (2 Tim.4:8) In a broad sense: state of him who is as he ought to be, righteousness, the condition acceptable to God. The doctrine concerning the way in which man may attain a state approved of God. Integrity, virtue, purity of life, rightness, correctness of thinking feeling, and acting. This crown is a reward of a life "poured out as an offering to God" (2 Tim. 4:6), "working at telling others the Good News, and fully carrying out the ministry God has given you" (2 Tim.4:5).
- Life: (Jas 1:12, Rev. 2:10) Life real and genuine, a life active and vigorous, devoted to God, blessed, in the portion even in this world of those who put their trust in Christ, but after the resurrection to be consummated by new accessions (among them a more perfect body), and to last for ever. Eternal life is the reward of perseverance: under misfortunes and trials; holding fast to one's faith in Christ.
So, what about you? How are you doing with your crowns? On giving your best effort? Taking time to share your faith? Caring for others? Offering yourself to God for His purposes? Being steadfast despite what the world may throw your way?
On the journey,
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