Discipleship Considered (Continued)
Why should we become disciples (Continued)
4. For the Salvation of Souls
5. For the ‘well done’ of the Saviour
6. For the Victor’s Crown
Then there is this other aspect. Paul, illustrating his own path of discipleship wrote; “And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown” (1 Cor. 9:25). Then speaking at the end of his life, having completed his race, having finished his course, and having fought his fight, he also wrote; “Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day” (2 Tim. 4:8) James joined in with; “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him” (Jas. 1:12). And Peter; “and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away” (1 Pet. 5:4). Leaving aside what these individual crowns mean, it is clear that they are not simply given to those who are believers and little more. Crowns reflect either a position of authority or victory, and these described by the New Testament writers are for those who have been faithful in service. Jesus, our fore-runner and example, was crowned when He completed His course. The writer to the Hebrews summed it up, “… we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honour” (Heb. 2:9).To be continued
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