The Crown of Righteousness (His coming)
“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
All Christians have been declared by God to be righteous because Jesus paid for our unrighteous sins on the cross. “He made Him (Jesus) who knew no sin to be sin in our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21. Therefore all Christians to a degree have a right to claim this crown. In favor of the view that the crown of righteousness is given to all believers is that the phrase, “all who have loved His appearing,” seems to be a description of all believers. If Christ has saved you by shedding His blood for your sins, you long for the day when you will see Him.
Because it is obtained and possessed in a righteous way, and not by force and deceit as earthly crowns sometimes are, it is an everlasting crown, promised to all who love the Lord and eagerly wait for His return. Through our enduring discouragements, persecutions, sufferings, or even death, we know assuredly our reward is with Christ in eternity.
That “Day” also refers to the time when we will stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ and have our lives evaluated for rewards. The fact that we will stand before the Lord, the righteous Judge, on that day should motivate us to live righteously on this day. There will be a special reward for living our Christian lives in a righteous way.
The Crown of Glory. (Shepherding)
“Therefore, I urge elders among you, as your fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and one who is also a fellow partaker of the glory that is to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not with greed but with eagerness; nor yet as domineering over those assigned to your care, but by proving to be examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory” 1 Peter 5:1-4
The shepherd’s crown will be given to leaders in the church who lovingly and graciously oversee and lead God’s people. They faithfully exercise oversight because God has assigned them this responsibility. They practice their leadership by being examples rather than by trying to dominate their flock.
The reward for faithful shepherding is the unfading crown of glory. The rewards come when the Chief Shepherd returns. That Christ is the “Chief Shepherd” again reminds us that leaders are only under shepherds, accountable to the Chief. We presently do not see the Chief Shepherd, but soon He will be made visible, when He comes again in power and glory, to shepherd the nations with a rod of iron. Therefore, the motivation for serving as shepherds now must never be to receive the praise of men, but only the desire to hear on that great day, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” Then we will share in His glory! Unlike earthly rewards which fade, that crown will last forever.
Crown of Rejoicing (Soul Winners and Evangelists)
For who is our hope, or joy or crown of rejoicing, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? Or is it not indeed you? For you are our glory and joy.” 1 Thessalonians 2:10-20
This is the soul winners and evangelist’s crown given to those who win others to Christ. The apostle Paul was not content to be saved himself. Paul said the real joy was that he would have spiritual children that he would bring with him, whom he had led to know Jesus Christ as Savior.
Have you ever led a soul to Christ? You may say, “I am not an evangelist. I am not a good personal worker.” But have you ever tried? God loves to use those who are willing to be used. Almost anyone can give out gospel tracts. Any Christian can pray. Anyone can support missions. There are more ways than one by which earnest Christians can lead souls to Christ. When that glad day comes when we are in the presence of Christ, will we have some trophies of grace?
What Will We Do With These Crowns?
In Heaven we will “worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast our crowns before the throne, saying, “Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.” Revelation 4:10-11. He will receive the praise.
Author – John Spence