"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever" (1 Corinthians 9:24, 25).
For the last five years I've had a chipped off tooth that has progressively worsened until I finally knew, due to the overbearing pain, that I had to get it fixed. Yesterday morning Brooksyne called our dentist and I gratefully went in at 6:15 last night.
My dentist, a friendly fellow who really likes to talk (which I consider a positive), examined me and said, "You ready to go ahead and get this fixed now?" Well, I was actually expecting to have to wait for another appointment but was more than ready to just get it over with. He spent a rather painful 45 minutes drilling and grinding although he did his best to deaden the pain. I now have a temporary stainless steel crown and feel a whole lot better. In a couple of weeks I will get my "permanent" crown, my first and hopefully my last crown of that type. But I anticipate getting an altogether different future crown.
My parents named me after the only Stephen in the Bible. Of course he is one of my favorite Bible characters, although his ministry was cut short after just one power-packed sermon. Stephen comes from the Greek name Stephanon, which means "crowned one".
The New Testament uses the illustration of a crown seven times in regard to a future promise and today I want to examine just one of them.
The Apostle Paul wrote this portion of Scripture to the Corinthian believers. Corinth was located in Greece where the ancient Olympic games were held and many of his readers would identify with this illustration which stresses a vital spiritual truth. I believe Paul was interested in athletics since he uses athletic illustrations in his writings such as running, wrestling and boxing. In this passage he is urging diligence in the Christian life with the spirit of an overcomer. He urges the Corinthian believers and us to: "Run in such a way as to get the prize." He reminds them of the strict training that was involved for the serious contestant.
"They do it to get a crown that will not last." This contrast in the crowns is the part of the verse that especially grips my heart. Indeed the ancient crown of victory was a laurel wreath that eventually withered and died. I have a temporary crown over my tooth that will last several weeks until my permanent crown, custom made just for me, comes in. But it's not going to last forever.
Even the gold medals received by the winners in the modern games will one day perish. Today many, perhaps most, are in pursuit of the various types of temporal crowns that will not last. For the great majority the pursuit of God is placed on a back burner in life to be dealt with at some later date.
"But we do it to get a crown that will last forever." Praise God! Look at that verse again: "But we do it to get a crown that will last forever." This crown is not for a select few; note the plural pronoun "we". Earlier in the passage he wrote regarding the competition in the ancient games that "only one gets the prize." Consider all the athletes who sacrifice many years of their time, money, and endure strict training to be in the Olympics but don't receive a medal.
This is not so in regard to our future crown. All who faithfully live their lives for Christ will receive this righteous crown! It is not by our diligent works of righteousness; instead this crown is a gift to the faithful believer because of the shed blood of the righteous One! In his final letter Paul expresses a tremendous assurance in God as he prepared for his departure from this life. "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" (2 Timothy 4:8).
Today let me encourage you to keep in clear focus the heavenly coronation ceremony where we will receive our crown of righteousness. In doing so it will properly motivate us to align our priorities on this side of heaven. It will also help us to run the spiritual race with our brothers and sisters in mind. We'll not compete against them, but we'll spur them on as we run this race together and receive our crown of righteousness from the righteous Judge.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Lord Jesus, even as athletes go into strict training to reach their physical goals, there is much sacrifice involved. Their appetites, exercise, endurance, activities, and their mindset must work toward their physical goal. I am willing to experience earthly loss in exchange for heavenly gain. I want to know You, Jesus, and the power of Your resurrection and even the fellowship of Your sufferings. As I fix my eyes upon You, Lord, the heavenly crown of righteousness that awaits me surpasses my desire for worldly accomplishments or human praise. I anticipate with great joy that which is yet to come when I am crowned with the crown of righteousness by You, Lord, the righteous Judge. Keep me faithful and trusting till that glorious day. Amen.
Chaplain Stephen and Brooksyne Weber serve with Transport for Christ. Click here to contact the Webers.
Click here for more daily encouragement. Subscribe to receive this free daily e-mail.
