Saturday, my granddaughter (not pictured) competed in a horse show. It was her first, and she was very excited. There were 5 events in which she participated, all of which she had practiced for months to be able to do her very best on this day.
Since this was her first equestrian show, we didn’t really expect her to be a contender for a ribbon, but regardless, she gave her all and did a great job. When the results came in, we were all (including her!) amazed and thrilled to see her take home 4 blue ribbons!!!
This reminded me of a very special event that is going to happen for Christians one day. Everyone who has trusted Jesus Christ as their Saviour will stand before Him as He judges our service to Him. Jesus will judge our works to determine what rewards we will receive from Him. Will we get a “blue ribbon” or will we merely receive a participation certificate?
1 Corinthians 3:9-15 states. “For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. According to the grace of God, which is given unto me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.”
This refers to the future event when we stand before Jesus at His judgement seat. It is not a time of judging whether or not we are saved, but rather the time when the work of those who are saved are determined to be godly… the gold, silver, and precious jewels, or carnal/worldly … the hay, wood and stubble. As our works pass through the fire of God, only the gold, silver, and precious jewels will remain and thus determine what “ribbon” we will receive. Our rewards will not be ribbons, however… they will be crowns. Now, we don’t know exactly which crowns we will receive, but like my granddaughter, who put in the necessary work to get the prize, we must put in the work to earn a crown from Jesus. The Bible speaks of 5 different kinds of crowns that can be received due to our work for God.
1. Crown of Righteousness
“Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” – 2 Timothy 4:8
This is a crown for everyone who is waiting anxiously for Jesus to return! The signs of the time indicate that Jesus’ appearing will be sooner than later, but not everyone is looking for the Lord to come back. Only those who know Him as Saviour are eagerly awaiting His appearing! Those of us who are looking up are righteous in God’s eyes through the salvation that Jesus purchased for us on the cross of Calvary. Our righteous status comes only through faith in Christ and His work on the cross. The Bible states….
“And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.” – Philippians 3:9
A crown of righteousness is a crown for every “righteous” person saved by the grace of God through faith and is ready and waiting for Jesus Christ coming.
Has there been a time in your life when you asked Jesus to forgive your sins and become your Saviour? Are you ready and waiting for His return? If so, they you will have a crown of righteousness!
2. Incorruptible crown
“And every man that strives for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.” – 1 Corinthians 9:25
The incorruptible crown is a crown for people who will have victory over the world and the flesh. This crown requires self-control.
“I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beats the air. But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” – 1 Cor 9:26-27
By demonstrating godly self-control, avoiding the temptations of the flesh, choosing to reject worldly ways for godly ones, we will receive an incorruptible crown. We need the strength of Christ to do this, and He readily provides that strength. We CAN exercise godly control when we depend on Jesus and His strength.
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” – Philippians 4:13
Have you tried to live a godly life, but find it so hard to do? Have you relied on the strength of Jesus for help? If so, you may receive the incorruptible crown!
3. Crown of Life
The crown of life is a crown for people who have patiently endured trials, testing and persecution yet maintain their faith. Going through hard personal trials, rejection from friends and family, losing loved ones, etc., yet remaining faithful to God AND trusting Him, is not easy. The temptations to join the world and reject God are relentless, but when we stand firm on our faith, holding fast to that which we know to be true, continuing to be separate from the world, and live for Christ, a crown of life awaits us.
“Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” – James 1:12
Have you remained true to Christ and refused to follow the world? A crown of life will be your reward!
The crown of life is also for the people who bravely confront persecution for Jesus Christ even to the point of death. It is hard to believe that Christians around the world today are imprisoned or even killed for their faith in Christ, but it happens every day, and it will continue to escalate as we move closer to the return of Christ.
“Fear none of those things which thou shall suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” – Rev 2:10
Those who remain faithful despite facing the most horrific trials, from imprisonment to death,
4. Crown of Rejoicing
“For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? For ye are our glory and joy.” – 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20
The crown of rejoicing is awarded to those who bring others to Christ. It’s often called the Soul-Winner’s Crown, and it’s the reward given to those who reach out beyond themselves and lead others to Jesus. It is a crown for every Christian who has had a part in another person’s salvation… whether it was a seed you planted, one you watered, once you cultivated, or one where you actually harvested!
Think of the person who led you to the Lord. It wasn’t just that one person, but rather a network of individuals that God used to draw you to Him. Each one will receive a crown of rejoicing one day!
How about you? Have you experienced a part in the salvation of another person? Maybe you were a Sunday school teacher sharing the gospel with your little ones. Maybe you helped in Vacation Bible School? Maybe you sat with your own child and explained how much God loved them and prayed with them as they asked Jesus to save them. Maybe you gave money to missions or the church to help further the cause of Christ. There are so many ways to share in leading others to Christ. The crown of rejoicing will be yours one day!
5. Crown of Glory
The last crown is a very specific crown. It is called the crown of glory, and it is a crown for the man of God who has a group of individuals for whom he is spiritually responsible. In today’s world, this would be a pastor of a church. He is often referred to as a shepherd and the church is his flock. Here is what the Bible tells us about this crown and pastors.
“Feed the flock of God, which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind. Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fades not away.” – 1 Pet 5:2-4
“Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.” – I Timothy 5:17
“Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.” – Hebrews 13:17
God’s Word holds pastors to a higher standard than others who work in the ministry, and thus, they receive a special crown for their service to God as His overseer of his “flock” – the local church.
Receiving our Crowns
It was so exciting to see my granddaughter receive her ribbons. I can only imagine how much more exciting it will be when we receive our own crowns from the Lord! But then, what will we do with them?
Casting our Crowns
What will we do with our crowns? The general thought is that we will cast them at Jesus’ feet, although the Bible doesn’t actually say this. What it does say in Revelation 4:10 is this: “The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”
Why would we do that? Because it is Jesus Christ alone who deserves to wear these crowns! All of our achievements are due to His work on the cross and in our lives. It stands to reason if all of heaven is worshiping Jesus and the elders are giving their crowns to Him, we would do the very same thing!
Crown him with many crowns, the Lamb upon his throne.
Hark! how the heavenly anthem drowns all music but its own.
Awake, my soul, and sing of Him who died for thee,
Qnd hail him as thy matchless king through all eternity.
(from “Crown Him with Many Crowns” by Matthew Bridges)
“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” – Philippians 2:13
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What crowns are you aspiring to receive from our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ?