IS THERE A CROWN FOR YOU?

Johnie Scaggs, Jr.

              The Bible speaks often about the “crown” which is laid up for the righteous ones. We find that John says, “...be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” (Rev.2:10b). Also, notice, “Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown” (Rev.3:11). Just from these two verses we realize that there is a crown which will be ours someday. It will be a great and glorious crown. It will be that crown which all the saints have labored to achieve. Now, this brings us to the question, “Is There A Crown For You?”

    In order to receive thecrown which we speak of, we must be,  “faithful unto death.” If we are faithful until death then we shall receive the crown of life, of life everlasting, never to end! Isn’t this what Paul related to us in his letter to young Timothy?  “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 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 Tim.4:7,8). Yes, Paul is ready because he had been faithful  and thus he KNOWS, with out any doubt, that there is a crown for him. But notice, Paul’s knowledge is based on the fact that he had done the master’s will (verse 7). If we like Paul do that which is ours to do, then we too will have a crown waiting for us at the end of life.

                          How is it that Paul fought a good fight and thus was able to say he had a crown waiting for him? It was because (1) Paul knew that he had strove for the Lord lawfully, listen to his words,  “And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully” (2 Tim.2:5). Here is the main reason why Paul could say with complete confidence that he had a crown and that is because he strove for the Lord LAWFULLY.  If we too strive LAWFULLY we will be able to say, “Yes, There Is A Crown For Me!” (2) He preached the whole counsel of God to all mankind, “Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God” (Acts 20:26,27). Paul was not afraid to tell men about their sin, in hopes that they would repent at his preaching of the sweet gospel of our Lord and because of this, he would have a crown. (3) He lived a life above reproach, “And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day” (Acts 23:1). Paul also stated, “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. 9:27). Paul knew what it was like to be tempted as we are. Just because he was baptized with the Holy Spirit did not give him some insight as to how to overcome his temptations anymore than we can know. But yet knowing this he still can say, there is a crown waiting for him when he leaves this old world.

    But John warns us, hold fast to what you have, “that no man take thy crown.” The forces of evil work to take your crown away from you or to keep you from receiving it. But remember this, if it is taken away from you, it is your own fault for letting Satan get the upper hand.

    My friends, if you cannot say with Paul,  “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:” (2 Tim.4:7).  Then you cannot say, “Hence forth 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 Tim.4:8).

    I am looking forward to the day when the Lord will place that glorious crown upon my head and also upon yours. Why not make sure that there is a crown for you?