No Cross, No Crown

No Cross, No Crown

"For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing." (2 Timothy 4:6-8) 

Apostle Paul wrote to his spiritual son, Timothy at the tail-end of his ministry. It is interesting to note how he characterised his ministry - a race that he had finished in keeping the faith. This led him to confidently state that a crown of righteousness awaited him. Wow. To some it might sound like a pompous babble. Apostle Paul had served God faithfully through the decades and knew that he would be rewarded for God is a Rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). In describing his ministerial experiences, he wrote,

"Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness— "  (2 Corinthians 11:23-27)

The point is that Apostle Paul found out that the Christian race is not a bed of roses, a walk in the park, a luxurious cruise on the Mediterranean or some delicious meal in a 5-star restaurant. In serving Jesus, Paul endured hardship, faced persecution, was physically assaulted, mocked and humiliated but he never gave up. He went on further to state, "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." (Galatians 2:20)

The goal of Apostle Paul was clearly stated in Philippians 3:3-11

"For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead." (Philippians 3:3-11)

The question that arises is: Should believers today expect to give less or suffer less for the Gospel of Christ? Should we expect to be exempt from hardship, persecution, ridicule, etc.?

Paul gave everything, considering his achievements as loss for the excellence of knowing Christ Jesus. Will you give everything for Jesus? How much do you love Him? Enough to die for Him?

For those who may think that what Paul went through does not apply to them, what about what Jesus, our Lord and Saviour went through before His crucifixion? He faced opposition from the Pharisees and Sadducees, was deserted by some disciples who found His teaching too hard (John 6:53-66). However, Peter said,  “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." (John 6:68-69, NKJV). Did Peter fully understand everything that Jesus said? NO, but he decided to follow Jesus to the end, no matter what. Interestingly, he was crucified upside down for Jesus.  Any preaching that postulates a painless, effortless Christian race or one that is not difficult is from the pit of hell. Jesus never told His disciples that life on earth would be without difficulty. In fact He said in Matthew 7:13-14, "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.". (Matthew 7:13-14)

Jesus went on further to state, "... “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it." " (Luke 9:23-24) 

The cross is s symbol of death which must be taken up daily. Jesus was not referring to a necklace worn around the neck. He was referring to the cost of discipleship or followership. Following Jesus is not a walk in the park; it is not a casual race or a part-time engagement; it requires 100% commitment, 100% diligence, 100% faithfulness, 100% of everything involved. There is no short cut, no Plan B, no circumvention of God's order, no compromise or political correctness. It must be  done God's way, otherwise nothing will be achieved.

The individual who enlists in the army does not decide which front he or she will be sent to. The soldier is prepared for death because that is always a possibility. Apostle Paul knew that there is no crown without a cross. Only those who endure to the end shall be saved (Mathew 24:13, Mark 13:13). So, brethren keep pressing on. Do not give up; do not give in; do not fret; do not lose hope. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and he shall direct your paths (Proverbs 3:5-7). TAKE UP YOUR CROSS DAILY, AND YOU WILL EVENTUALLY RECEIVE A CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS IN JESUS' NAME. Have a blessed day.