4. God will faithfully reward believers for genuine works they produce – The Bible speaks of rewards, privileges or crowns that can be gained in heaven by the child of God for faithful Christian service and living down here on earth. The Bible only mentions five crowns up for grabs but there are probably many more. The important thing is the rewards we earn during our short 70-80 year lifespan lasts for eternity. What we earn will last for billions and billions of years! That’s a good return on any time you invest in God’s work. I know this much, heaven is going to be wonderful beyond anything we can possibly imagine and it’ll be the same with the rewards we receive in heaven for our work on earth.
A. The incorruptible crown – This reward is given to those who live a disciplined, Godly life under the dual control of the Holy Spirit and self. All believers who go to heaven will receive at least one crown just for getting there and I believe this is the universal crown given to all the saints in heaven. Nowhere in my research can I find any corroboration on this but it’s just something I feel inside.
1 Corinthians 9:25 – And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.
B. The crown of rejoicing – This reward is given to those who have been faithful and effective in witnessing for Christ. This is the crown I long for the most for several reasons. Witnessing for Christ is the Great Commission of Jesus to all his disciples. We all want to please God and nothing would please God more than for us to obey the command dearest to his heart, which is witnessing for Christ. I can’t bear the thought of any fellow human being going to hell for eternity. I worry about all the lost souls. The thought of it keeps me up at night. If I can share the gospel message of Christ and do my part to help save at least one person for the kingdom of God then my life will have had meaning. My life will have mattered. That’s why I blog. My web site is named onemoreforjesus.net for this reason. My goal is to instruct and exhort others to study God’s word and witness for Christ.
1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 – For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?
C. The crown of righteousness – This reward is for those who have fulfilled God’s will for their lives and who love the coming of Christ. When I was searching for God the first thing about Christianity that caught my eye was fulfilled Bible prophecy. I love Bible prophecy and I love studying it. God gave us Bible prophecy to prove he is who he says he is, Almighty God. The Bible contains over 1000 prophecies, over 500 of which have been fulfilled and well documented. When that fact soaks in you know the Bible you’re holding in your hands is the word of God. Of all the prophecies in the Bible, the coming of Christ to rapture the saints in the air is the one I love the most.
2 Timothy 4:8 – (Paul speaking) – 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.
D. The crown of life – This reward will be given to those who have endured persecution for their faith. Every martyred saint will receive this reward. One of the reasons we should rejoice when we face trials for our faith is the prospect of receiving this crown in heaven. It’s possible this crown is the one given to all believers who enter heaven instead of the incorruptible crown. I’m not sure which one it is. Whatever this crown is for I want it.
James 1:12 – Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
E. The crown of glory – This reward is given to pastors who have faithfully guided their local church. God doesn’t call everyone to ministry but everyone can still gain this reward by being deacons and other church leaders. Believers who teach Sunday school and direct Bible study classes also qualify for this reward. The key is you’re sharing God’s word with others for their edification. You’re helping others to gain knowledge, understanding and wisdom from God’s word. I qualify for the crown of glory because my blog site promotes the studying of God’s word and witnessing for Christ. The Apostle Paul was the greatest Christian who ever lived and he was not ashamed of seeking out the treasures of heaven and we should follow his lead. The Bible is our guide telling us how to gain the riches of heaven so let’s proceed with determination and purpose.
1 Peter 5:1-4 – The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory which does not fade away.