DAY 4: 2 TIMOTHY 4:6-8
A CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
Read 2 Timothy 4:8.
The Bible speaks of many crowns that we will receive when we enter eternity. There is the crown of life promised to those who love Him (James 1:12).There is the crown of glory that will never fade away (1 Peter 5:4). And there are numerous references to crowns in John’s Revelation (11 in total) that are mysterious and yet stir the senses in anticipation of their fulfillment. But Paul at the end of his days refers to a crown of righteousness. He speaks of it as not something yet gained, but something to be rewarded to him in eternity. I believe the crown symbolizes the full realization of righteousness in Christ. In this world and in this life, we struggle to be righteous, and yet we know that Christ’s righteousness covers us so that through Christ we already are righteous in God’s eyes. However, we still sruggle with righteousness while we live in this body of flesh and sin. Paul can look ahead to the day he will receive that reward of righteousness, the day when he is gven a crown in effect saying, “You made it! Christ’s righteousness is now fully realized in you.”
To consider: Do you look forward to receiving a crown of righteousness someday? Why might Paul (or any of us for that matter) desire this crown of righteousness? What might it look and feel like to attain the full reality of righteousness in our lives?
