Monday, November 7, 2011

CROWNS

Crowns (Eternal rewards for faithfully serving the Lord)

If you have placed your trust in Jesus Christ then you have eternal life. The gift of salvation, purchased by Jesus on the cross, is freely given to all who will repent of their sins and place their faith in Christ alone. God’s gift is eternal and free.

However, though salvation is a free gift, there will be eternal rewards given to those who faithfully serve the Lord in this life. The Bible lists five crowns that the Lord will give for faithful service. The five are as followers:

1) Incorruptible Crown (1 Corinthians 9:25-27). This is the victor’s crown. It will be given to those who have exercised self-control and kept their bodies in subjection to the Lord. By the power of the Holy Spirit, these disciples restrain their appetites and lusts so as to be ready and available for ministry.

2) Crown of Rejoicing (Philippians 4:1;1 Thessalonians 2:19). This is the soul winner’s crown. Those who reach out and evangelize the lost will receive the Crown of Rejoicing.

3) Crown of Righteousness (2 Timothy 4:8). This crown is for those who love the
Lord’s appearing. Saints who eagerly wait for Christ’s appearing will receive this crown.

4) Crown of Life (James1:12; Revelation2:10). This crown is for those who suffer, endure temptation, and yet still hold fast their confession in Jesus through tribulation and even death.

5) Crown of Glory (1 Peter 5:1-4). This crown is for those who lovingly serve as overseers and faithfully teach God’s word and disciple others in the faith. They will receive the elder’s Crown of Glory.

Jesus wants you to receive a full reward (1 Corinthians 3:11-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Colossians 2:18; 2 John 8; Revelation 3:11). With these rewards we will apparently have the privilege of casting our crowns before His throne (Revelation 4)!

“His Lord said unto him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord’” (Matthew 25:23).

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