The Crowning

Read: 2 Timothy 4:1-8

Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:8, NIV

IN WORD

In some of Paul’s final words to Timothy, he turns his focus to “that day,” fully aware that there will come a time when God declares the value of each person’s work. He won’t use many of the standards most of us would use. We would measure impact primarily with things like numbers and time, while God likely measures deeper issues, like how faithful we were and how much we had to overcome in order to do what He called us to do. Regardless, the divine assessment is coming. And Paul, who surely had been faithful in fulfilling his mission, says his life and ministry are being shaped by that awareness.

That’s one of the significant differences between the Kingdom now and the Kingdom then. Now, we serve as faithfully as we can without knowing the impact we have or being able to measure the obstacles we’ve overcome. Then, we enjoy the Kingdom after all those issues have been settled. Both require our loving gaze toward God; but only one requires us to look through a darkened glass, only vaguely aware of the true significance of our lives. In this time, we look back to when He appeared on earth and look forward to His future appearing, sometimes questioning if it was really better for Him to go away, as He said it was. He hasn’t left us; in fact, He is thoroughly present in His Spirit within us. But He is less tangible than in the face-to-face times of the past and future. And looking forward to “that day” has profound effects on us now.

IN DEED

Live with an eye on that encounter, that day of assessment when God declares how well you have fought the fight and run the race. Get a vision of His coming, and let it clarify your decisions and prioritize your values. A crown is promised, and you will want to receive it knowing you lived for everything it represents.

ADDITIONAL READING: Revelation 3:11-13

The Kingdom of God has come into the world, and the powers of the age to come are operative even in the age that is now.

PETER LEWIS