REWARDS/CROWNS

2 Timothy 4: 7,  8

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the LORD, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.

THE CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

When we think about fighting, we think about combat with fists and armor. The good fight that the Apostle Paul is talking about, is the struggle to maintain the discipline of a servant of GOD. The war is against the fleshly desires to overpower or defeat so we yield to GOD and put on the full armor of GOD and stand against the lure of the flesh. Paul knew that the only war was waged against the enemy of the soul, the devil. He said, "for we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."(Ephesians 6: 12). The discipline of a servant of GOD is strengthened by "loving His appearing". 

What is it about "love His appearing" that strengthens the Spirit of a person? Colossians 3:2 says, "set you affection on things above, not on things on the earth." Hebrews 12 : 2 finishes this thought, "Looking to JESUS, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the Throne of GOD." When we love His appearing, we are looking to JESUS, setting our affection on Him and are watchful, serving Him in all that we do; this defeats the devil and GOD is victorious. We must be alert for the time when He will gather up the Body of believers to Himself at the time of the Rapture, because we do not know the hour of His appearing, so we watch, serve and do those things that are pleasing to GOD with longing and great love for Him.

We must always be alert and watchful with great longing for the time when we shall see JESUS "face to face, and tell the story; SAVED BY GRACE." Those who love His appearing will receive the Crown of Righteousness, because they are "rightly related" to Him.