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What does the Bible say about crowns and rewards?
Maybe this is an unfamiliar concept and we feel we should love God for who He is instead of going bounty hunting! That's fair comment but more importantly let's look at what the Bible says regarding the above!
John 14:2 says 'In My Father's house are many mansions; it it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.'
In Matthew's Gospel Chapter 6:19-20 'Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither rust nor moth destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.'
In the New Testament there are five specific crowns mentioned for believers. WHAT WE DO WITH THESE CROWNS IS IMPORTANT ALSO but I shall talk about that later - please read the whole article!
Firstly there is the Crown of Glory for faithful Servants...
'And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.' (1 Peter 5v4)
Secondly the Crown of rejoicing for soul winners...
'For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? (1 Thessalonians 2v19)
Thirdly the Crown of Righteousness for those who love His return...
'Finally there is a crown 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.' (2 Tim 4:8)
Fourthly the Incorruptible Crown for lives of purity...
'And everyone who competes for a prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.' (1 Cor 9:25)
Fifthly the Crown of Life for Christian Martyrs...
'Do not fear any of those things that you are about to suffer. Indeed the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.' (Rev 2:10)
More Christians have died for their faith in God in the last century than in all the other ones put together. They shall obtain the Crown of Life! Furthermore how often are we encouraged to look forward to His return and to live lives of purity?
If you are still thinking I want to obey God and do His will rather than parading around with crowns in celestial grandeur here is some good news. Whilst I was in South Africa on holiday last year I read an excellent book by Carl Johnson entitled 'The account we must give' It confirmed the reasoning behind the hymns such as crown Him with many crowns, Crown Him, Crown Him, etc as in Revelation 4 in the throne room of heaven the twenty four elders cast their crowns before Him and in so doing greatly glorify Him. I for one want to be able to cast a crown or two at His feet rather than standing on the Olympic medal podium bringing glory to myself!
This also makes our Christian lives so much more meaningful. Yes we are saved by grace (Eph 2:8-9) and sealed by the Holy Spirit (Eph 1:13-14) but to whom much is given much will be expected. If we are given talents it is our God given duty to utilise them for His purpose and glory.
Again although we are saved by grace Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5 verse 10...
'For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things, done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.'
I speak to myself first and foremost. We will be gutted if we live sub-standard spiritual lives because we know that we have been saved by grace and want to take a backseat! When I understood this, thankfully I believe it helped me to fear God more so, and in addition it is also a tremendous encouragement that He sees everything we do for His glory! As if it was necessary, this personally gives me even greater purpose for my existence in glorifying Him and I hope it does for you also!!
Amen! |
