Faith Filled Family Magazine September 2016 | Page 37

who preach and teach are held
accountable at judgment for the
work done in people’s lives (1
Corinthians 3:5-15).The reward
for this important service is the
Crown of Glory.
The Crown of Rejoicing is for
those who share the Gospel of
Jesus Christ through evangelism. When we think of an evangelist, we think of Billy Graham.
There are many evangelists
whose names will never be recognized here on earth, though.
The work of the evangelist meets
a lot of obstacles along the way.
In 2 Timothy 4:1-5, Timothy is
told to do the work of the evangelist even though many people
will not listen, following false
doctrines instead. They share
the same message presented
in ways the hearers will understand. Christ set apart evangelists, pastors, and teachers to
reach people for Christ and help
them grown in spiritual maturity (Ephesians 4:10-13). Even
travelling evangelists make sure
those who accept Christ have
follow-up either from their team
or from local congregations
because Satan is waiting to stop
the spiritual seed from taking
root in the new believer (Matthew 13:3-8, 19-23). New believers need pastors and teachers
to nurture them in their young
faith, but it takes an evangelist
to reach them for Christ. This
reminds us to share our faith
when the Holy Spirit prompts us
to do so. This particular person
receives the Crown of Rejoicing, which is for the lives of the
people they have lead to the
Lord (2 Thessalonians 2:19, Philippians 4:1).
The Crown of Life is reserved for

those who are martyred or persecuted for their faith in Christ
(James 1:12, Revelation 2:10).
Those who suffer for their faith
in Christ, either through persecution or death, receive this
unique crown. Not many of us
would want to earn it, but there
are several who will because
”to live is Christ, to die is gain”
(Philippians 1:20-21). These
people do not think twice about
standing firm in their faith, even
in the face of death. It does
not mean they are not afraid,
though. They bravely proclaim
Jesus as Lord knowing full well
something bad will happen to
them. None of us will know this
is our call unless our own faith
is put to that very test. It takes
a special person called to such
a ministry to testify to Jesus
Christ for salvation to one’s
persecutors.
What happens with these
crowns in eternity?

The crowns waiting for us are
spiritual, so their descriptions
are from a heavenly perspective. They look like victory over
evil forces. They look like loving
kindness and tender mercies.
They look like joy and glory to
those who oversee others in
their faith. They look like the
blessing of the new covenant
through faith in Jesus. They
show up as the presence of the
Lord in our lives.
We do not know exactly what
happens with them except
that the crowns we receive
as our reward for faithful love
and obedience as believers in
Jesus Christ. Some Christians
believe we will cast them at the
Lord’s feet, but the Bible says

it is the 24 elders who will cast
crowns at Jesus’ feet (Revelation 4:10-11).
When we sp end eternity with
God on His throne, He will probably gaze at us with these crowns,
absolutely pleased with us. All
the time you spent teaching your
children God’s truth, ministering
to the children at church pouring into young lives, answering
God’s call to formal ministry,
or praying with a neighbor to
accept Christ, these deeds are
far more precious in God’s eyes
than anything else. What you
do does not go unnoticed in our
Father’s eyes. He rewards those
who are faithful and obedient our
of His great love for us. Whether
we receive crowns for what we
do or not, the most important
thing we want is for God to say
to us, “Well done, good and faithful servant, enter My rest” (Matthew 25:21). He is our very great
reward (Genesis 15:1).
Charlaine Martin is a freelance
writer, personal trainer and
owner of Totally Fit 4 Life. She
lives in the Thumb of Michigan
with her husband. Charlaine has
three great adult children who
are married and six lively grandchildren