12/30/2019
Are you humble, and patient in your spirituality, or do you proudly flaunt your faith before others; quoting scripture as though you were in full command of it? This is a question we should each ask ourselves as we journey along the way of our belief, and while attempting to be truly transformed into a crowning possession of holy righteousness worthy of God.
“Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.”
Ecclesiastes 7:8 ESV
How often do we see ourselves as a jeweled crown on the head of the risen Jesus Christ our King? How often do we picture that crown as being gem studded, and as a fitting replacement for the thorns He wore to the cross? Do we look at the reflection of our faith and convince ourselves that one day He will be proud to wear such a fine crown, and that, after all, we have been given, and made to be, the crown of life?
“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.”
James 1:12 ESV
Each of us thinks he has faced hardship and suffering in his life, and perhaps in some way we have, but have we suffered for our faith in Christ, or in obedience to the will of God? Unless our trials stem from our love of God, and transform us into a more perfect image of Jesus... then they are simply earthly hardships and of little value. In this way, the crown we have imagined ourselves to have received is thus an earthly crown of our own construction, and simply made of paste... fading in the sunlight.
“And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.”
1 Peter 5:4 ESV
When we listen to Jesus warning the church at Ephesus we should realize ourselves to be the Jews, now called Christians, to which He is speaking. His words should give us encouragement in our spiritually founded tribulation, but it should frighten us if we find ourselves to be like those who He says call themselves Jews (Christians) but are not.
“"'I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
Revelation 2:9-10 ESV
How many times have we read through scripture, and had a new truth revealed to us? How is it that we can ever think we understand God’s Word in its entirety if we require the Holy Spirit to make utterance for us in prayer, and to give us understanding? How is it that we can take pride in our own righteousness? we should remain humble servants in our pursuit of faith, and life everlasting.
“But it is the spirit in man, the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand. It is not the old who are wise, nor the aged who understand what is right.
Beware lest you say, 'We have found wisdom; God may vanquish him, not a man.'”
Job 32:8-9, 13 ESV
So are we to be a shining replacement for the thorn ladened crown of Christ? I hardly think so, but God is worthy to receive the crown we have been given, and that we wear humbly... not the one of paste, but our crown of life.
“the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, "Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created."”
Revelation 4:10-11 ESV
Thus, the proud in spirit who have suffered and earned their reward on earth will offer a crown of paste to God, but the patient, and humble in spirit, who have suffered for Jesus, and in obedience to God’s will, having loved Him with all their heart, will cast their very life at His feet, and worship Him forevermore. Which are we, and if we find ourselves prideful, and earthly, are we prepared to walk away from that self proclaimed pride? are we ready to suffer spiritually for the crown of life?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your Son Jesus who teaches us what it means to love you, and to obey your will. Thank you Father for leading us humbly in Spirit, and giving us a crown of life at the end of our earthly days in just reward for lovingly suffering in your service. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who is worthy of the crowns we cast before you, and the true love we hold in our hearts for you. Praised be your name always, and great is your patience in us as we learn to humble ourselves before you. We worship you Gracious Father, and yield all honor and glory to you. Your grace is our blessing, and your Son the vessel of its deliverance. Help us to be worthy of receiving such a gift; a crown of life forevermore... even as we cast it before you.
“Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?”
Matthew 16:24-26 ESV
Rich Forbes