Christian Foundations
DEVOTIONAL ARCHIVE
Friday, January 4, 2008
What Awaits You?
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.
—2 Timothy 4:8
The concept of a crown, or a reward, in the Bible is something that is given to a believer for his or her faithfulness. Paul said that if you look forward with great anticipation to the return of Christ, then you will have the crown of righteousness waiting for you (see 2 Timothy 4:8).
We are told in Revelation 3:11, “Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.” This is speaking of the opportunities that God has given to you. There is a reward promised to every believer who faithfully serves the Lord. Don’t miss that opportunity. If you do, you will not receive the crown that Jesus has for you.
Speaking of Jesus as the foundation being laid in human hearts, the apostle Paul wrote,
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. (1 Corinthians 3:12–13)
If we do not faithfully serve the Lord with the right motives and do what God has set before us, there won’t be a reward, or a crown, waiting for us in heaven. But if we take hold of those opportunities God has given to us, then He will give us that crown.
It will depend entirely on what God has called us to do. He will judge each of us according to the plan and purpose He has placed in our lives. What if this were your last year on earth? Live according to His purpose for your life and earn a crown.
Copyright © 2007 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Bible text from the New King James Version is not to be reproduced in copies or otherwise by any means except as permitted in writing by Thomas Nelson, Inc., Attn: Bible Rights and Permissions,
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