CROWNS OF GLORY
By Jerelyn Wright-Pearson
We all experience many blessings in our lives. We have family that is dear to us. We have activities that are fulfilling, and that we enjoy. We have freedom to come together and worship and share the blessings that God has given us.
But at the same time we all face trials and temptations. There’s probably not a day that goes by without something interrupting our joy and happiness. It could be a health issue, a financial burden, a disagreement with a friend, or news of someone else’s tragedy. These things can crop up at any moment and steal our joy and happiness.
Trials and temptations are an unavoidable part of life. As Christians to we are not promised a smooth path. We will all struggle with trials and temptations. But God does not leave us without hope or help with our struggles.
I’m currently studying the book of James with my Bible group. James tells us that we should rejoice in our trials and temptations.
James 1:2
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
And so today we’re going to take a look at why rejoicing is important and hopefully have a better outlook when we’re actually going through that trial and facing it.
Let’s turn to James 1:12.
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
How often do we think of someone who is suffering as being blessed? Well, James does. And so does Jesus.
Let’s turn to Matthew 5:3-12.
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Back to James 1:12
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
Enduring temptation is a trial much like the testing of metals and coins as described in 1 Peter 1:6-7:
6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, [referring to our inheritance reserved in heaven] though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
Of course, when we are experiencing a trial, we go through a season of heaviness. We aren’t expected to put on a happy face and smile our way through it. Suffering is a real experience. But we are not without hope. The trial of our faith is more precious than gold that perishes when tried with fire. Instead our trial will be found into praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ!
What will we who believe and persevere under trial receive?
James 1:12
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
We know that as believers we receive the gift of eternal life. But the crown of life is not a gift. It is a reward for enduring the trials of temptation. A gift is freely given. A reward is something you earn. To earn a reward, you have to accomplish something. Athletes reap the rewards of victory. But they also put in hard work often suffering through opposition, hardship, and injury. Students receive a diploma or a degree as a reward for hard work, study, and perseverance. Employees receive salaries, promotions, and eventually retirement as a result of long hours and years of endurance. These rewards for accomplishments in life often bring personal satisfaction and may include public recognition.
However, incorruptible crowns earned in service to the Lord far surpass personal glory. Reading James 1:12 in my Bible study inspired me to search for more scriptures related to crowns as rewards. So how are incorruptible crowns attained?
Incorruptible crowns will be awarded to those who ran a good race.
1 Corinthians 9:24-25
24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
A crown of righteous awaits those who “love his appearing.”
2 Timothy 4:7-8
7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
8 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.
A crown can be earned by overcoming temptation.
James 1:12
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
Church elders will be awarded according to their labor.
1 Peter 5:2-4
2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
3 Neither as being lords over [God's] heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
Those who suffer for the gospel will be awarded for their steadfastness and courage.
Revelation 2:10
Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
There are many ways to receive crowns as rewards. The importance of receiving rewards is not for personal glorification. It is far greater than that.
1 Peter 1:7
That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
Revelation 4:10-11
10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power:
for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
The incorruptible crowns with which we are rewarded will be our offering to Christ when we stand before his throne.
In conclusion:
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation:
for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
Presented 30 April 2023 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
© Workers Together With Him, Inc.