To be honest, I grew up without much interest in the crowns of heaven. It seemed plenty good to me that God would mercifully provide me with any place in His kingdom. It’s far more than I deserve. But the bible tells us there’s something worth striving for beyond enduring this race. Whether the five crowns awarded in heaven to believers are literal crowns or another form of honor, they are rewards God intends for us to seek and they warrant our attention:
The Imperishable Crown (1 Corinthians 9.24-25) goes to those who run their race in a manner to actually win it. Their lives are marked by rigors of discipline and perseverance, not idle comfort. While most toil all their lives for things that become obsolete, break and rust, the imperishable crown goes to those who labor for the prize of heaven that does not decay but instead lasts forever. Pursue the prize that never fades!
The Crown of Rejoicing (1 Thessalonians 2:19) goes to those who continue to rejoice in God – all the time. That’s a hard teaching for those in the midst on ongoing suffering. But our greatest rejoicing is not in whether our circumstance is either ‘good’ or ‘bad.’ Our rejoicing is in the presence of God and His goodness in and through all things that work together. We rejoice because our Lord sees us where we are. He blesses us with His grace and comfort, His strength and love. The crown of rejoicing speaks to God’s presence in your life now and also when He will wipe away all tears, sorrow, and pain – forever!
The Crown of Righteousness (2 Timothy 4:8) is awarded to those who love Jesus and look forward to His return. Jesus says the ones who love Him, obey Him. They pull away from the things of the world and express their faith by loving others in His name. We cannot earn righteousness. We inherit it by humbling ourselves and putting on His righteousness while we endure life’s troubles.
The Crown of Glory (1 Peter 5:4) goes to those who long for the return of Jesus, who regard God’s glory as greater than life itself. Remember how Stephen was able to see the glory of heaven even as he was being stoned? Paul said, “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” (Romans 8.18) Do you long for that glory to be fully revealed more than the things of this world?
The Crown of Life (Revelation 2:10) is for those endure suffering for the sake of the kingdom. “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” In the biblical sense, ‘life’ is not just eating and breathing; it’s having a right relationship with God, living ‘abundantly’ with Jesus even in trials. “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12) As you experience pain, sorrow, disappointment, and suffering of all kinds, look to Jesus, “the author and finisher of our faith.” (Hebrews 12.2). The crown of life awaits you.
In each case, the crowns go to the faithful who not only endure this life but run as to get the prize worth pursuing. Isn’t that what you really desire?
