"For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 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. 4:6-8
2 Tim. 4:6-8
In this passage, we see that Paul is thoughtfully viewing his coming execution. He knows that he has done what has been required of him. And it is his expectation that there is a crown of reward awaiting him when he is judged by our Saviour, Jesus Christ. This is the Crown of Righteousness. It is the namesake of this blog.
So, have you noticed the separation of the two types of saved Christians that this crown provides. As Paul states, the crown is not just for him (Paul), but "all them also that love His appearing." So, we can determine that one group of Christians will be those that love the return of Jesus. The second group will be those that don't love His return. But, you may ask, how can a Christian NOT love the return of the King?
That is easy to answer, but I shall remind my viewers of a couple of facts first, which will add support to my answer.
First, we must realize that there is no such thing as a person deciding to accept Jesus as their Saviour by their own free will. It can't happen. Before we are brought to Jesus, we are creatures of the flesh 100%. Remember, in Genesis 2:17, God said,
So, have you noticed the separation of the two types of saved Christians that this crown provides. As Paul states, the crown is not just for him (Paul), but "all them also that love His appearing." So, we can determine that one group of Christians will be those that love the return of Jesus. The second group will be those that don't love His return. But, you may ask, how can a Christian NOT love the return of the King?
That is easy to answer, but I shall remind my viewers of a couple of facts first, which will add support to my answer.
First, we must realize that there is no such thing as a person deciding to accept Jesus as their Saviour by their own free will. It can't happen. Before we are brought to Jesus, we are creatures of the flesh 100%. Remember, in Genesis 2:17, God said,
"But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die."
Now, Adam and Eve both ate the fruit of the tree. But, they didn't die on that day.
Or, did they?
Their bodies (flesh) didn't, but their spiritual side most certainly did. And, without a spiritual side to them, each generation that followed was born with a soul and a flesh, but no spiritual aspect. We know that Jesus confirmed this when teaching Nicodemus:
Or, did they?
Their bodies (flesh) didn't, but their spiritual side most certainly did. And, without a spiritual side to them, each generation that followed was born with a soul and a flesh, but no spiritual aspect. We know that Jesus confirmed this when teaching Nicodemus:
"Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and [of] the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."
John 3:5
John 3:5
When we are given faith by God, we are able to accept Jesus as God's Son, and as our Saviour. God gives us the ability to repent, as this gift of grace through faith is able to rebirth a new spirit in us.
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."
Eph. 2:8-9
Eph. 2:8-9
So, why did I go through all of this? To make you realize that a Christian, after he/she is reborn spiritually, also gains the ability to choose. Whereas we, prior to salvation, had only one choice presented to our soul (that of the flesh), we now have the choice of following the desires of the flesh or the desires of our spirit. And therein lies the problem.
Some Christians will be following the lead of the Holy Spirit. Their hearts will be forever walking towards the Lord. This doesn't mean that there won't be times when we stumble, fall, sit...sometimes even turn and walk off in the wrong way! But, when we strive to seek the Kingdom of God, all our failures will be left behind and we will love the thought of Jesus coming to take us from this place.
Other Christians will be focused on the things of this earth. Be it desires to see children grow up, the comfort of worldly goods, the dreams of long life...the list is really endless. But, they all amount to one simple throught: they don't want the world-game to end yet. These people are still saved, they are just as much Christian as the first group. They just don't want to leave this situation. And these people will be shocked when they are called to meet the Lord in the air. They will be, if only for an short instant, disappointed that it is time to get out of the pool, so to speak.
Every Christian should take note: This life is but a blink of God's eye. It is nothing when compared to the length, width and depth of eternity. Let it go! Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus, let go of the things of this earth. Long for the return of Jesus. Remember...
Some Christians will be following the lead of the Holy Spirit. Their hearts will be forever walking towards the Lord. This doesn't mean that there won't be times when we stumble, fall, sit...sometimes even turn and walk off in the wrong way! But, when we strive to seek the Kingdom of God, all our failures will be left behind and we will love the thought of Jesus coming to take us from this place.
Other Christians will be focused on the things of this earth. Be it desires to see children grow up, the comfort of worldly goods, the dreams of long life...the list is really endless. But, they all amount to one simple throught: they don't want the world-game to end yet. These people are still saved, they are just as much Christian as the first group. They just don't want to leave this situation. And these people will be shocked when they are called to meet the Lord in the air. They will be, if only for an short instant, disappointed that it is time to get out of the pool, so to speak.
Every Christian should take note: This life is but a blink of God's eye. It is nothing when compared to the length, width and depth of eternity. Let it go! Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus, let go of the things of this earth. Long for the return of Jesus. Remember...
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
Mat. 6:33
Mat. 6:33
The Crown of Righteousness is there, yours for the taking!
Grace and Peace....
Grace and Peace....
