Receiving crowns is one way God acknowledges those who are sincere and steadfast in their faith and have been obedient to the word and to the Spirit.  Let’s look at them in turn.

            James tells us that those who endure trials and stood the test will receive the crown of life.  We who are steadfast in trials letting perseverance deliver the test that we may be mature and complete lacking nothing can expect a reward for our faith.  This crown does not require old age.  We can receive this crown at any time and it is up to God how long we are to endure trials.  This crown is for the mature and we reach maturity when we learn how to deal with trials and hardships.  When we rejoice in hope, are patient in affliction, and constant in prayer (Rm12) are a good indication that we have become mature.  When our circumstances do not cause us to waiver, but instead, cause us to grow stronger in our faith like Abraham, it is then, that we are mature and receive the Blessing, and in this case the crown of life.  This is good motivation to fight the good fight of faith. 

            Peter tells us that elders who tend the flock, not for material gain, but to aid the body of Christ by sound teaching, can expect to receive the unfading crown of glory.  The gift of instruction and the giving of a message of knowledge is a gift of the Spirit that, if used to edify the church, receives a reward and that reward is the crown of glory.  Now the glory is the very presence and atmosphere of God and the saint who cares for the flock can expect the glory to be manifest in their life like a weight or heaviness of the Spirit on their soul and body which has a power to witness to the power and love of God.  To be an effective instructor requires soundness in one’s personal life, knowledge and good understanding of scripture, and an ability to communicate the will and mind of God to the church with the anointing of the Spirit. 

            St. Paul tells us that those having fought the fight, run the race and finished the course can expect to receive a crown of righteousness.  This crown is for those who have been set apart to the gospel, have devoted themselves to win the lost and edify the body of Christ, and have succeeded in doing the will of God.  The reward is a crown of righteousness.  Now righteousness for St. Paul is not a righteousness of doing the works of the law, rather it is a righteousness through faith in Christ, who appropriate the promises of God by confession, speaking to the mountains of difficulty, obeying God by overcoming fear, peer pressure, and human logic, and have entered the Sabbath day rest of God as talked about in Hebrews three and four.  The crown of righteousness comes about late in a Christian’s life and it is for those who have accomplished what their salvation was meant to accomplish both in themselves and for the church.  This crown is for those who share in the holiness of God, for without holiness, no one shall see God.

            As a church we should be at it for God and God, who is generous beyond measure, will reward us with crowns. 

Amen