Tag: crown of righteousness
Day 2–Paul’s Anticipated Reward
Scripture reading for June 23: 2 Timothy 4:6-8 “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved His appearing.”
For many responders, our reward is to see those we are called to help find the relief that they long for. There is daily reward of those who thank us for help and the reward of our salary if we are paid. But God has promised those who believe in Him and Jesus Christ, His Son, something greater and more lasting.
Paul, the servant and apostle of Jesus, was facing death by beheading when he wrote his last letter to believers revealing his understanding. This was written down by God for us to give us hope and inspiration. Paul rejoiced in his life of faith. It was a fight, from beginning to end to stay true to Jesus and complete his assignment to share Jesus Christ with the Gentiles. He had suffered beating, shipwrecks, riots, hostilities, and imprisonment for his faith. God had been faithful to him, using him in each difficult situation to win souls, raise up new leaders, and plant thriving churches.
God had revealed to Paul that he would receive the crown of righteousness as his reward on the Day of Christ’s return. This award will be given by God to all believers who live by faith in Jesus Christ. Christ gives us His righteousness when we come to Him in repentance. We will be crowned with a special crown on the Day of Christ as a further gift of God’s grace. That is why we will cast our crowns at Jesus’ feet in worship and adoration. (Revelation 4:10)
Are you living daily in Christ’s righteousness? Are you fighting a good fight of faith by studying and applying God’s Word and commands? Will you be able to say ‘I have finished the race’ at your life’s end?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for revealing this amazing reward promised to all who love Your appearing on that great Day. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and allow me to share this good news with all! Amen.
Keeping mission focus!
Scripture reading for October 7: 2 Timothy 4
“”. . .preach the Word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suite their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the Righteous Judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved His appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:5-8
Paul was writing for his last time from prison while awaiting beheading for preaching the Gospel. His son in the faith, Timothy was in Paul’s prayers and thoughts. He encouraged Timothy to continue the good fight of faith along the pattern he had modeled. Paul plainly called for Timothy to boldly and plainly preach the Word of God, doing the work of an evangelist. He warned him that some would have itching ears and would not accept God’s Word. Timothy was not to waver, even if suffering for preaching and teaching. This was part of the package. He was to fulfill the calling on his life as Paul was now finishing his race: strong in the faith.
Paul testified to Timothy of his confidence in his future reward. He had been assured of the crown of righteousness from the Lord, Himself. Jesus was the Righteous Judge Who would deal with each person in total righteousness and justice. Paul called Timothy to so live his life and run the race of faith that he too would receive the reward.
What insights from Paul’s last letter and advice to Timothy help you to set priorities in your own life? Are you confident in a reward from the Righteous Judge or concerned about facing Him? Does the promise of suffering for the Gospel and the possibility of martyrdom bring concern?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Paul’s clear witness of his confidence and faith in Your promises and Word. Fill me with the Holy Spirit and boldness to preach the Word of God even in the face of rejection or persecution. With Paul and the faithful saints, I plan on standing by faith in the finished work of Jesus. Amen.
Finishing the race with endurance!
Scripture reading for July 8th: Ecclesiastes 10-12, 2nd Timothy 4
2nd Timothy 4:5-8 “As for you (Timothy), always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved His appearing.”
Paul’s earthly life was at its ending. He encouraged Timothy, his son in the faith, to always be about the work of evangelism to which the Lord had called him. This would require sober-minded dedication and focus. Paul had set Timothy an example to follow of faithfulness, even to imprisonment and ultimately to being martyred for Christ. Paul had fought a good fight of faith, patiently and faithfully preaching and teaching God’s Word, and living it out by example. He had run his race to the finish line and awaited the crown of the victor, which the Lord would award him in the Day of Christ. This crown was for all who would fight to the finish and run to win.
2nd Timothy 4:17-18 “But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Prayer: Lord, thank You for standing by me all the years of my life and for the promise You will bring me safely into Your heavenly kingdom! I am endeavoring to fight the good fight of faith each day and to finish the race You set before me. I claim by faith the crown of righteousness that Paul said was for all who loved Your appearing!
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 “The end of the matter, all has been heard. Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.”
Preach the Word!
Scripture reading for October 7th: 2nd Timothy 4
“In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of His appearing and His kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage–with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. but you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.” (2nd Timothy 4:1-5)
As Paul concluded his final letter, he reminded Timothy of Christ Jesus’ return and His judgment of the living and the dead. All believers will stand before the Lord to give an answer for the deeds done in the body at the judgment seat of Christ described in 2nd Corinthians 5:10. All the lost will stand before Him at the Great White Throne described in Revelation 20:11-14.
Because of this, Paul charged Timothy to preach the Word of God tirelessly. Patience and careful instruction would bring salvation and healing to those who listened and believed. Others would turn away from the sound doctrine of God’s Word and want to hear something that would tickle their ears. These truths keep us informed about today and the times we live in. Believers and especially ministers must preach the unadulterated Word of God. The work of evangelism must go on until Christ appears. May He find us all doing what He called us to do!
Preach the Word!
Scripture reading for October 25th: 2nd Timothy 4:1-22
Paul’s closing instructions to Timothy encouraged this young pastor to use a simple strategy of ministry. “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage– with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn to myths.” (2nd Timothy 4:2-4) There is never a season when the Word of God will not be appropriate. The Word is the complete prescription for correcting and encouraging the people of God. It is full of sound doctrine and if patiently taught is able to save and equip people for works of service and prepare them for the coming of the Lord.
However, in the last days, many will not receive sound doctrine. They want to design their own god and make their own spiritual program. People will find teachers that will tickle their ears with things that sound good to them, but are really false doctrines of demons. This teaching will only lead to bondage and death. Timothy was to keep his eyes on the Lord and the Word and fully preach the Word.
Paul, knew that his departure was near. He was ready to meet the Lord. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day–and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing.” (2nd Timothy 4:7-8) Paul was soon to face the guillotine. He spoke of being poured out like a drink offering! Yet he also knew by faith that his head would wear a crown in glory! His journey through life was a fight of faith. He had finished well and was expecting a reward from his Lord!
Paul’s attitude and final instructions to Timothy model the way to victory for those still fighting the good fight. Death brings reward, and is nothing for the Christian to fear. We must continue to preach the Word and live by faith! The best is yet to come!
Preach the Word!
Scripture reading for October 25th: 2nd Timothy 4:1-22
Paul’s closing instructions to Timothy encouraged this young pastor to use a simple strategy of ministry. “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage– with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn to myths.” (2nd Timothy 4:2-4) There is never a season when the Word of God will not be appropriate. The Word is the complete prescription for correcting and encouraging the people of God. It is full of sound doctrine and if patiently taught is able to save and equip people for works of service and prepare them for the coming of the Lord.
However, in the last days, many will not receive sound doctrine. They want to design their own god and make their own spiritual program. People will find teachers that will tickle their ears with things that sound good to them, but are really false doctrines of demons. This teaching will only lead to bondage and death. Timothy was to keep his eyes on the Lord and the Word and fully preach the Word.
Paul, knew that his departure was near. He was ready to meet the Lord. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day–and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing.” (2nd Timothy 4:7-8) Paul was soon to face the guillotine. He spoke of being poured out like a drink offering! Yet he also knew by faith that his head would wear a crown in glory! His journey through life was a fight of faith. He had finished well and was expecting a reward from his Lord!
Paul’s attitude and final instructions to Timothy model for those who are still in the fight the way to victory. Death brings reward, and is nothing for the Christian to fear. We must continue to preach the Word and live by faith! The best is yet to come!
The Crown of Righteousness!
Scripture reading for December 9th: 2nd Timothy 1-4
God calls His servants to live a righteous and holy life. Good character is the first requirement for church leadership. It is more about who you are than what gifts and talents you possess. In this last letter to his son in the faith, Paul encourages Timothy to live boldly and to live holy!
“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. So do not be ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life–not because of anything we have done, but because of His own purpose and grace.” (2nd Timothy 1:7-9) Timothy was a young man who sometimes suffered with fear and insecurity. Paul always encouraged him to live boldly through the Holy Spirit. Life as a pastor was a life of serving and also a life of suffering for the gospel. Not everyone would love the preacher. Paul was, at that time, suffering for preaching the gospel, but he was confident that God would guard what he had committed to Him for the day of Christ’s return. (2nd Timothy 1:12)
Again in this letter, Paul warned Timothy about terrible times in the last days. (2nd Timothy 3:1-5) People would lack self control and be lovers of pleasure, rather than lovers of God. Paul describe them as having a “form of godliness but denying its power.” False believers and false teachers are deceived and lead others astray. They appear to be godly, but the power of the Holy Spirit to enable them to live a holy life is missing from their everyday attitudes and actions. Paul warned Timothy (and us) to have nothing to do with such people.
Paul shared that all who live a godly life in Christ Jesus would be persecuted. (2nd Timothy 3:12) Timothy’s best defense was to study and hold fast to the Holy Scriptures. These would equip him for every good work! Timothy must preach this word with great patience and instruction. Paul’s life was nearly over and he was looking to the reward: the crown of life that would be given to him and all who loved Christ’s appearing! Paul encouraged Timothy to live boldly and to live holy to share in that reward! What are you living for?