Crown: Envision Endurance Ensuring Eternal Enrichment

In the process of discovering that Eternal Rewards are Biblical, we learn that it’s legitimate for God’s children to desire them. God’s Rewards are far more valuable and important than anything the world could offer.

The Lord makes it clear to His people that the primary foundation of faith—the type of faith that’s pleasing to Him—includes not only trusting that He exists but also believing that He rewards those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). Jeremiah 29:12–13 reveals to us that this type of seeking after the Lord is grounded in wholeheartedness and rooted in total and glad obedience to Him.

This means that even in the face of life’s difficulties, challenges, and intense temptations, along with the struggle, the pain, and even the confusion that might arise at times, we maintain a proactive pursuit of God.

Perhaps it has never entered your mind that enduring temptations is something that God has promised to reward. It almost seems more fitting for God to reward great feats of faith, trust, and obedience. But that’s exactly what enduring temptations entails.

When you find yourself being drawn toward sin, your decision not to give in to it demonstrates the fact that you believe God’s warning to turn away from it. Choosing to do what is right in place of what is wrong shows you trust that God knows best.

And ultimately, by acting on your faith and trust, you demonstrate obedience. James 1:12 tells us that the Lord will give the Crown of Life to those who endure temptations. This is not related to our Salvation but rather Precious Rewards that are connected to our faithfulness to Him.

Of course, we don’t know exactly what these Eternal Rewards will be, but we know the Heart and Character of the One who dispenses them. That should be enough to know that they are Exceedingly Good and to cause excitement to well up in our hearts when we think of them.

Therefore, when we are bombarded by sexual temptations, we need to remind ourselves that this vexing crucible is very short-lived. In contrast to this transient season, our freedom will be eternal, and our choice to endure our temptations now will secure for us Priceless and Everlasting Rewards. We top this all off by saying to ourselves, Crown: envision endurance ensuring Eternal Enrichment.

Dear Lord, help me believe You reward those who seek You.