How You Live Your Life – Does it Matter?
God is a Rewarder
It’s not only important for us to believe that there is a God, it’s also vital that we believe He is a rewarder. This goes to the very root of the character of God and who God is. When we believe God is a rewarder it has a positive impact on how we live our lives and how we approach God.
Rewards Here and Now
When you understand and know God is a “rewarder” it becomes obvious that what you do in life matters a great deal. Why? Because God the rewarder is looking for opportunities to reward you for what you do here and now on the earth. The Bible tells us He rewards faithfulness, patience, hard work, obedience, and many other things.
Rewards in Heaven
In addition, Jesus will hand out rewards in heaven. There is a day coming when we will be gathered to Him to receive eternal rewards. The works of every believer, the way they live their lives, will be judged by Jesus. It is called the Judgment seat of Christ and will take place after the rapture and will happen in heaven.
Jesus is going to hand out some very special rewards in heaven! Do you know what those rewards will be? Will you receive any of those rewards?
5 Heavenly Crowns – Rewards for Believers
The rewards that Jesus will be giving are called Crowns. There are 5 crowns mentioned in the Bible. These 5 crowns will be presented as rewards to believers when they appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ. According to 2 Corinthians 5:10 every believer will come before the Judgment Seat of Christ. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.”
Salvation is a Gift Not a Reward
The judgment seat of Christ is not about salvation (salvation is a gift not a reward) and it’s not a time of punishment where believers are judged for their sins, but rather it is a time of recognizing those Christians who have served the Lord faithfully with the gifts and talents God gave them.
Not Everyone Will Receive a Crown
Some will be rewarded with crowns and some will not. The awarding of Crowns is based on the work done for the Lord. Not all works for the Lord will be rewarded because our motives will be judged. 1 Corinthians 3:13-15 says, “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”.
Other Eternal Rewards
The rewards of crowns are not the only eternal rewards received by believers. There are many other eternal rewards that Christians will receive; Communion with Jesus (Rev.3:12), Special garments (Rev. 19:10), Reigning with Christ (Rev. 20:4), and others. Every believer will be extremely grateful for the reward of heaven and eternity with Jesus. However, we should make it a goal to live our life in such a way to be prepared to stand before the Lord on that day.
What the 5 Heavenly Crowns Are
The 5 Crowns that Jesus will hand out to believer’s include; the Crown of Life (James 1:12), the Crown of Righteousness (2Timothy 4:8), the Incorruptible Crown (1Corinthians 9:25), the Crown of Glory (1 Pet 5:4), and the Crown of Rejoicing (1 Thessalonians 2:19).
1. Crown of Life (martyrs crown)
The Crown of Life is also know as the “Martyr’s Crown”. It will be given to those who patiently endure persecution and trials for their faith even unto death. James 1:12 says, “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”.
The Crown of Life Is Not a Reward for Eternal Life
This verse does not teach if you fail to persevere in faith through the temptations of life that you will not be saved. Salvation is a free gift to everyone and anyone who believes in Jesus. You can not work your way to eternal life. Salvation cannot be earned or kept by good works. The Crown of Life is not the reward of eternal life-salvation!
Every believer will experience a certain amount of persecution for their faith, but there are those who will encounter SEVERE and HORRIFIC persecution. Jesus said in Revelation 2:10, “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” The Crown of Life is a special reward for a special act of dedication in persevering for the King .
Lay Down Your Life to Follow Jesus
While not every believer will encounter severe persecution or be martyred every follower of Christ is called to lay down their life to follow Jesus. (Matthew 16:24-26) Being aware of the Crown of Life can be an encouragement for every Christian to hold fast their profession of faith and to stay strong, keep the course, and remain faithful.
Overcoming Temptations in Life
So, when you encounter temptation, trials, or persecution, be encouraged and persevere through them. Also, remember to pray for those being persecuted. Christians are persecuted — imprisoned, even killed — for their faith all around the world. According to Christians in Crisis there are over 200 million people facing severe persecution for believing in Jesus and 60% of those people are children. Hebrews 13:3 reminds us to, “Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves also are in the body”.
2. The Imperishable Crown
The Imperishable Crown or some times referred to as the “the victor’s crown” is mentioned by the Apostle Paul in 1Corinthians 9:25, “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 uses the illustration of athletes who are running in a race that requires strict discipline and self control in order to compete effectively. He emphasizes how athletes train hard to be the best they can and to continually improve and excel, so that they can run the race well.
Run Your Race to Win the Prize
As believers we are running the race of life and God wants us as Christians to have the same kind of attitude and fortitude in running our race of life as an athlete does for running his race. This is the point the Apostle is trying to make. When we run the race God has assigned us faithfully, keeping our focus on Jesus then there will be an imperishable crown for all that finish their race.
Paul explains how the reward athletes receive perishes and how only one can win the race and receive the reward. Whereas the crown we will receive is Imperishable, it lasts for eternity and will be rewarded to everyone who runs their race faithfully. So, run the race God has set out for you and be the best you can be for God. Be willing to make whatever sacrifices are needed to successfully complete the race God has set out for you.
The next time we will talk about the Crown of Righteousness, Crown of Rejoicing, and the Crown of Glory. Let’s look forward to the day when the the Lord says, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.”