Inspirational: CROWNS AND REWARDS

by Linda Kirby/WGON 3.23.26

Many Christians after accepting Christ, have the impression that they can now just sit on their laurels and coast the rest of the way. They say, as long as I get into heaven I don’t care about crowns and such. It seems that we don’t know how important those rewards are to our eternal life with Jesus. These rewards have nothing to do with our salvation. They are about what we did after we accepted Christ. James 2:17: “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.”

James 2:20: “But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” James 2:26:“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” Based on these scriptures, I look at them more as a warning. Why? Because we are being told that resting on one’s laurels or coasting the rest of the way is not the evidence of living faith — and James warns us that a faith with no evidence is a dead faith (James 2:17, 20, 26).

So, now we know that works are important but not a salvation issue, only a faith issue, then we can start moving forward to understanding why rewards are important. Jesus warns, “Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.”— Revelation 3:11 because rewards are the eternal results of our faith — the things Jesus Himself gives for endurance, obedience, and love. Rewards are the story of Christ’s work in your life —and the proof that you let Him finish what He started. Rewards Are Not Payment — they are God’s public affirmation. The Apostle Paul says our works will be tested: “Each one’s work will become clear…

the fire will test it…If anyone’s work endures, he will receive a reward.”

— 1 Corinthians 3:13–14. This isn’t about salvation. This is about what your life meant in God’s eyes. Some things will last. Some things will burn. But the reward is what Jesus wanted to give you —and losing it is losing what could have been. We build these rewards every time we choose obedience, love, faithfulness, and endurance in the everyday moments of life.

When the redeemed stand before Jesus, Scripture says:

“The twenty‑four elders fall down…and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, ‘You are worthy, O Lord…’”— Revelation 4:10–11

We cast our crowns because:

• every victory came from Him

• every good work was His grace

• every act of obedience was His strength

• every bit of fruit was His Spirit

• every reward is His gift

Casting the crown is not losing it.

It is giving the honor back to the One who deserves it.

It is the eternal declaration:

“Everything I ever did that pleased You —

You did it through me.”

Don’t Arrive Before Jesus With Empty Hands. The saddest moment in eternity would be standing before the Lamb who was slain…and having nothing to lay at His feet. Not because you weren’t saved. But because you lived as though nothing eternal was at stake.