BIBLE READING: DANIEL 12:13; ACTS 13:36; 2TIMOTHY 4:6-8
“And say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.” Colossians 4:17(NKJV)
There is no greater honour anyone on Earth can receive than being enrolled in the Service of the Lord God Almighty Himself. The Holy Scriptures state that those Christian believers who are part of the First Resurrection would rule with the Lord Jesus Christ during His Millennial Reign (Rev. 20:6). This is actually a thousand years which amounts to two hundred and fifty (250) consecutive terms in power AS A MERE FORETASTE of our Eternal Reign with Him! Even the office of the President of the United States (POTUS) is limited to a maximum of two terms per individual. This is serious food for thought indeed. The reality is that a crown, as we have seen in our previous devotional, is evidence that one is qualified to rule with the Lord during the Millennium. One of the most important of these crowns is the Crown of Righteousness.
The Holy Bible describes the Crown of Righteousness as a Reward from the Lord Jesus Christ to all Christian believers who faithfully fulfill God’s Divine Assignment or Purpose for their lives. Apostle John the Beloved in his First Epistle said that “For THIS PURPOSE the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil” (1Jn. 3:8b). Even the Apostle Paul towards the end of his life and ministry, fully aware of his imminent martyrdom via beheading at the hands of Emperor Nero which informed his Second Epistle to his Spiritual son Timothy, understood this Truth. He emphasized his readiness to be reunited with the Lord Jesus Christ which then begs the question: What gave him the temerity to claim the Crown of Righteousness? The threefold answer is seen in 2Timothy 4:7:
(1.) I have fought a good fight… Firstly, the only good fight every Christian believer must engage in is the Good Fight of Faith (1Tim. 6:12). The righteous man lives and is sustained by Faith alone (Hab. 2:4).
(2.) I have finished MY course… Secondly, Paul stated that he had finished HIS OWN course i.e., his God-given Ministry or Assignment. God would never commend you for doing what He never commanded you to do in the first place.
(3.) I have kept THE Faith… Finally, Paul kept or guarded the Christian Faith. We must always contend for our Common Faith because whatever we’re called to do must be a witness or testimony in the eyes of all to our New Life in Christ (Jude 3). Pursuing God’s Agenda without manifesting His Moral Attributes is counterproductive.
The Primary Goal of every genuine disciple of Jesus Christ ought to be Christlikeness which is the end of all Spiritual Warfare. The Holy Scriptures state clearly: “So I run straight towards the goal in order to win the prize,which is God’s Call through Christ Jesus to the Life above” Phil. 3:14(GNT). This goal is what qualifies us and enables us to fulfill God’s Divine Call upon our lives. Let us strive today to BECOME more like Him and finish the Ministry He gave us, thereby qualifying to receive the Crown of Righteousness as we hear Him gladly tell us “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matt. 25:21).
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, to You alone do we ascribe all the Glory, Honour and Power. O Lord, please enable us manifest Your Divine Call upon our lives and grant us the Grace to accomplish it in so that we may be qualified for the Crown of Righteousness in Jesus’ Mighty Name. Amen.