...Finishing The Race
On your mark, get set, GO!
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes (entrust; have faith in) in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
John 3:16-18 (NKJV)
Stick with me on this intro as I lay some ground work before diving into the subject of Rewards of Faith and Endurance. Speaking from my own experience, as a Christian man, I have many hats to wear. Christ-follower, husband, father, provider, son, brother, friend, mentor, employee, etc. With those hats, might be different styles. Those styles, or even the hat themselves, change depending on the situation, the people involved, etc. If that is true for me and you, imagine the hats that God, our Heavenly Father, has.
With my father hat on, I know my kids like to be rewarded when they obeyed, did the right thing, etc. With my son hat on, I know I liked being rewarded when I was there age. If we all put on our employee hat, we know that it is nice to get a true reward (well maybe even a pizza party) after a job well done. So, we can agree that we all relate to that. God (YHWH) has many hats, one being a Heavenly Father. Jesus has many, one being a judge.
Keeping my father hat on and re-reading the Bible, I can see God’s Father hat on a lot, with the characters (and us reading) being His children. As expecting parents, we start to do all the prep work to be completed before the child comes into the world. With an infant child, we provide and do everything for the child including boundaries and rules that the child might not understand yet. As The child grows and matures, as parents we place more definitive rules and boundaries and our expectation of the child grows and matures, too. There are incentives or even rewards for staying within those bounds and consequences or punishments for going outside those bounds. There are so many examples of rewards (or promises) and punishment dealt out by a just Father within the Bible.
With that ground work laid, let’s talk about the rewards of faith and endurance after we finish our Christian race. In different competitions, races, or sports, there are judges that score you or watch the finish line. Based on that score or place, you may be rewarded with a trophy or medal.
Paul says,
“For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.”
1 Corinthians 3:11-15 (NKJV)
Paul was writing to the people of Corinth, located in southern Greece, so they were quite familiar with Olympic games and races. During that time, from the judges’ stand, the judges would sit, observe, and declare Olympic victors. Those victors were awarded a crown of olive branches instead of a gold medal around their neck.
To the same church, Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:9-11 (NKJV), about The Judgment Seat of Christ.
“Therefore, we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.”
Now take a step back from the “me” part of the race and shift focus to God. These rewards or crowns are not really about the individual believer, but instead, they are about pleasing God. Just as a son, I want to make my dad happy, as Christians we want to make our Heavenly Dad happy. The actions, disciplines, and characteristics that are required to earn the reward is what all lead us to a fulfilling relationship with our Heavenly Father.
The acceptance of the free gift of salvation is like the gun-shot or the gate opening to start off the Christian race. You are not racing against others, but racing with others, up the narrow path. The Bible is the playbook, rulebook, motivation, and cheat code. Our main objective is to add more people to the race by spreading the Gospel and communicating and showing our love for Jesus passionately and often. We are in it at our pace, but there is no linear finish line to indicate the end, like in a 5k. There are also “options” to do additional games, like works through faith, that impact the final Judge’s (Jesus Christ) score. We will finish our personal Christian race with little to no notice through death or rapture, so be ready.
At the end of the race, which is approaching, at some point during the Upcoming Seven Years of Celebration, we will be before The Judgement Seat of Christ, not the Great White Throne for unbelievers. Our quality of works, based in faith in Jesus Christ, will be tested by fire; some things are laid waste in the fire and some are refined, the end result is yours.
Remember what Jesus said in Matthew 6:20-21 (NKJV)?
“lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
I believe the crowns are what He is referring to in regards to treasures, also, think inheritance.
Well, what if you are content with the free gift of salvation and eternal life with Jesus in paradise? I would say that it is between you and God because all of our faith journeys are different.
But if you asked me on a deeper level, I would say that the crowns are offered to us as a way for God to express His desires for us. They let us know what we need to do to please God. Part of God’s desire is for us to spread the Word and live liked He instructed us. So as you mature in faith and endure the race, you determine that these incentives aren’t the focus, but it is finishing the race with as many people as you can. So without realizing, you are doing the side games with joy in your heart because it is the journey of the race that is important, not the additional incentives on top of the greatest reward of a free eternal life.
So I would ask, where is your heart at in this Christian race?
Some research suggests that there are five (5) crowns and some seven (7). I am leaning towards 5, so the other 2 are last in the list. So, I encourage you to do your own research and develop your understanding. Let me know what you think.
The Imperishable/Incorruptible Crown
- 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 (NKJV)
- “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.”
- Paul speaks of an incorruptible crown, also known as “The Victor’s Crown”, for those who run the race of faith with discipline and purpose. This crown symbolizes the eternal rewards for those who strive for holiness and self-control in their Christian journey.
The Crown of Rejoicing/Exultation
- Philippians 4:1 (NKJV)
- “Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved.”
- 1 Thessalonians 2:19 (NKJV)
- “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?”
- Paul refers to this crown as the joy of seeing souls saved and transformed through the Gospel. It represents the reward for those who share their faith and lead others to Christ, also known as the “soul-winner’s crown” or “crown of boasting.”
The Crown of Righteousness
- 2 Timothy 4:7-8 (NKJV)
- “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.”
- Paul, nearing the end of his life, speaks of the crown of righteousness awaiting him and all who love Christ’s appearing. This crown signifies the reward for those who live righteously and eagerly anticipate the return of Jesus.
The Crown of Life
- James 1:12 (NKJV)
- “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.”
- Revelation 2:10 (NKJV)
- “Do not fear any of those things which 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.”
- This crown is promised to those who endure trials and temptations. James reminds us that perseverance under trial leads to spiritual maturity, and Revelation assures us that those who remain faithful even unto death will receive this crown. It represents the eternal life promised to believers.
The Crown of Glory
- 1 Peter 5:2-4 (NKJV)
- “Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.”
- This crown is given to faithful shepherds and leaders in the church. Peter encourages elders to lead with humility and care, promising that they will receive a crown of glory when the Chief Shepherd appears.
The Crown of Faith
- Revelation 3:11 (NKJV)
- “Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.”
- Jesus encourages believers to hold fast to their faith, promising that no one will take their crown. This emphasizes the importance of steadfastness in our belief and trust in Him.
The Crown of Praise
- 1 Peter 2:9 (NKJV)
- “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;”
- While not explicitly called a crown, believers are described as a royal priesthood, called to proclaim God’s praises. This reflects the honor and recognition we will receive for glorifying God in our lives.
God bless and go in peace,
Friday, August 23, 2024
Volume 15 Issue 20 (82)
