What is the Crown of Life?

12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

James has already said something about trials earlier in this chapter. He tells the early church to not be surprised by them, and ultimately they will shape them and mold them to maturity. Today he talks more positively about trials and their ultimate reward. He calls a man "blessed" if he can endure through the trial. And the promise is when he withstands the test, he will receive the crown of life. If we study the word "crown", we see it in five different usages, such as "crown of glory" and "crown of righteousness".

In Paul's writings the crown is given to the victory in athletic games. The runner receives first prize, which was a garland of flowers they wore around their head as the victor. There are other uses of this word, as it is also worn at wedding feasts, and also put on royal kings. So what is its meaning here? Regardless of how you interpret which type of crown it is, it symbolizes something of earthly value. While it brings happiness and honor in the present it doesn't have any enduring value.

Also it means the crown of life. A victorious life lived by the power of Christ is the most joyful life we can live here on earth, with the promise of eternal life in the future. Dallas Willard calls our life here as believers, "the eternal kind of life". Meaning eternal life starts the moment you come to faith in Jesus and receive the Holy Spirit. So what is the application here?

We will all have trials. They will be hard to endure. But the promise of God is that, as we persevere and remain steadfast, we will receive the crown of life. Victory here on earth in daily trials is but a mirror of the crown of righteousness Jesus has put on the heads of all who believe and trust in Him for salvation. And one day, we will receive a crown of glory in heaven, which will never fade away.

Pray for whatever trial you are going through today, asking for the strength to persevere and receive the crown of life!!!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Acts 22 - Paul Sees the Light

Image
6  “About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me.   7  I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me,  ‘Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?’  8  “‘Who are you, Lord?’ I asked.  “  ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth,  whom you are persecuting,’  he replied.   9  My companions saw the light,  but they did not understand the voice  of him who was speaking to me.  10  “‘What shall I do, Lord?’ I asked. “  ‘Get up,’  the Lord said,  ‘and go into Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do. This is the famous story of the apostle Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus.  Paul was going there to persecute Jewish Christians and throw them into prison and he meets Jesus is a spectacular way.  Not only is he blinded by a briliant light, but he hears the Lord's voice audibly.  And the Lord asks him, "Lord, Lord why a...
Read more

Hebrews 6 - Have You Graduated From Elementary School of Faith Yet?

Click Here to Read or Listen to Hebrews 6 6 Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, 2 instruction about cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And God permitting, we will do so. The author once again picks up with the theme of moving on to Christian maturity.  He teaches them to move on from the "elementary" teachings about Christ. What does he mean by that?  He gives clues by citing repentance, faith, cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, and teaching on the judgment and resurrection from the dead. We might call these the basics of the Christian faith. If you read through the Apostle's Creed, which our church confesses in our 8am service, it contains many of these core doctrines.  Click here to see the Apostle's Creed Written Around “When we consider the...
Read more

2 Timothy 4 - Fight the Good Fight! Finish the Race!

Click Here to Read or Listen to 2 Timothy 4 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: 2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3 For the time will come when people 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. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. Paul gives a closing charge to Timothy. First of all, he is to preach the word. God's Word speaks to all situations and seasons. The Word of God will sometimes correct us. Our lives can get of out alignment with God's will as outlined in ...
Read more