5 Heavenly Crowns to Live For!預覽

#2 | Crown of righteousness

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 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 4:7-8).

This crown is laid up for those who strive to live a righteous life – who put away the things of this world and choose a life of holiness, laying down the self-life. This life is described by Paul in Titus 2:12,13: …teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ…

This crown is laid up for those who long for and look forward to the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

THE KEY to obtaining this crown is 'faith'. We read of this in Romans 1:17 – For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written: "But the righteous one will live by faith."

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF

>> Do you consciously strive to live right before God? Or do you find at the end of a day that you barely thought about God at all?

>> Think about what you did just today – is it possible that some things were not so pleasing to the Lord? Perhaps your speech, tone of voice, swear words? Will you not confess anything He shows you right now? Ask for His forgiveness and help not to do that again.

>> Do you trust the Lord? Do you need to walk in faith more? Ask the Holy Spirit to help you grow in trusting God.