Olympic athletes train for years to obtain rewards for their accomplishments but these rewards fade away and do not last beyond this lifetime. Christians will also be rewarded for their faithful service at the Judgment Seat of Christ. These rewards will last for eternity. The Judgment Seat of Christ is not like a final exam that qualifies us to enter heaven. If we have trusted Jesus Christ as our Savior and have had our sins forgiven, then we are qualified to enter heaven because our sins, past, present, and future were all paid for at Calvary’s Cross.
When we stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ our whole life will be reviewed and rewards will be given for our faithful service to Him. These rewards are viewed in the New Testament as Crowns. There are five heavenly Crowns mentioned in the New Testament that will be awarded to believers. They are the crown of life, the imperishable crown, the crown of righteousness, thecrown of glory, and the crown of rejoicing.
The Greek word translated “crown” is stephanos and means “a badge of royalty, a prize in the public games or a symbol of honor generally.” Used during the ancient Greek games, it referred to a wreath or garland of leaves placed on a victor’s head as a reward for winning an athletic contest. As such, this word is used figuratively in the New Testament of the rewards of heaven God promises those who are faithful.
The Crown of Life (Trials)
“Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has passed the test, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him”. James 1:12. Many Christians experience trials in their lives and it often involves suffering. It can be from sickness, physical injuries, or aging. Also, Christians have been imprisoned and made to suffer for their faith.
James says a person who perseveres under trials can be blessed in this life, but James real emphasis is on the rewards of heaven. The “crown of life” refers to the eternal life that we will enjoy forever with God. It is not that we earn eternal life as a reward for our endurance. Rather, eternal life is God’s gift of grace, but we don’t enter into the full enjoyment of it until after we have persevered in the race that God has given us to run in this life. “If we endure, we will also reign with Him” 2 Tim. 2:12.
The strength to endure trials comes from our love for Christ. You might expect James to say, “the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who persevere,” or “to those who obey,” or “to those who believe in Him.” But rather, he says, “to those who love Him.” Why does he say this? Love for Christ motivates us to persevere under trials. Love for Christ does not keep us from trials. Rather, it gives us the strength to endure. Love for Jesus Christ is the necessary motivation to serve Him, especially when serving Him causes hardship and persecution. If we are struggling with suffering in trials, we need to examine the quality of our love for Christ.
The Imperishable Crown (Disciplined Life)
“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. So they do it to obtain a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. I strictly discipline my body and make it my slave” 1 Corinthians 9:25-27
It is a reward for Christians who have a priority in their lives to serve the Lord by practicing self-discipline and control over their worldly appetites. This crown is also referred to as the Victor’s Crown. The Christian life is being compared to a race in which a runner is competing to obtain a reward for winning this race.
The prize for a physical race does not last. The Christian is in a spiritual race which has an eternal prize for winning the race. The crown for winning this race will last forever. We have to compete with many things that prevent us from running this race well. Self-discipline is required. In order to practice self-discipline, we have to say “No” at times not just to things that are sinful but instead give priority to things that are of eternal value. Life is full of good things but sometimes they interfere with the better things that Christ has to offer us.
Author – John Spence