Tuesday, October 10, 2023
Heavenly Crowns
After all, what gives us hope and joy, and what will be our proud reward and crown as we stand before our Lord Jesus when he returns? It is you! (1 Thessalonians 2:19 NLT)
According to Scripture, rewards will be given out in Heaven for our faithfulness.
What kind of rewards will they be? The Bible specifically mentions crowns. For example, there is a crown of rejoicing, which we could also call the soul winner’s crown. The apostle Paul wrote, “After all, what gives us hope and joy, and what will be our proud reward and crown as we stand before our Lord Jesus when he returns? It is you!” (1 Thessalonians 2:19 NLT).
Paul was effectively saying that the people he reached with the gospel will be his crown of rejoicing. This seems to indicate that if we have led others to Christ, then we will receive a special crown.
The Bible also mentions a crown of life. James 1:12 tells us, “God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him” (NLT). This crown is for those who have resisted temptation and persevered under trial.
Some people have tougher lives than others. Certain people seem to skate through life relatively unscathed. On the other hand, maybe you’ve had a difficult life, but you’ve been faithful during those times of testing. Despite setbacks, hardships, disabilities, or illnesses, you have honored the Lord. As a result, you will receive the crown of life.
Then there is the crown of righteousness. Paul mentioned this crown in 2 Timothy: “And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing” (4:8 NLT).
This is a crown for faithful living. It’s a crown for those who long for the return of Christ, for those who live in the light of Heaven.
Here’s what we need to remember: It isn’t about how famous you are. Rather, it’s about being faithful with what God has called you to do. It is not about what God has called your friend or your pastor or someone else to do. It’s all about what God has given you to do. Have you been faithful?
As you think about your life, you might say, “I don’t know that I’ve reached thousands or hundreds or even tens.” But if you follow Jesus Christ and have told others about Him, then you’ve sown seeds of the gospel.
That seed might not break ground until later. Maybe one person you’ve led to the Lord will lead twenty people to the Lord twenty years from now. Or maybe the person you impacted with the gospel will have children who raise their children in the way of the Lord. And maybe one of their children will become the next Billy Graham.
All the spiritual fruit that goes from generation to generation will come back to you. You will share in it. And you will be rewarded for your faithfulness to God.
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