THE CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

For those who lived with a determined and dedicated faith in Christ.

2 Timothy 4:6-8 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 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.

1. This reward is for those who have ….
   Poured out their life as an offering to God - They have given their whole [complete] lives in service for the Lord. "If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him." - CT Studd. CT Studd left behind a life with the elite in England, a Cricket career, a wife and children to follow God’s call to Africa.

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." “Wherever you are, be all there. Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God." - Jim Elliot Missionary to South America who was killed by the very native people he was helping. (End of the Spear Movie)

These are words of determined faith.

2. Fought the good fight - Living and serving Jesus is not for cowards. It is for men and women of courage and faith. It is for people like David, who when faced with a Goliath don’t run away but run towards the giant.
   You don’t just walk in and possess the Promise Land, you have to fight. You need to be strong and very courageous, like Joshua.

3. Finished the race - This reward for completers Over the years it is amazing how many people with ‘faith’ have not finished stuff in their life. They start well and run for a while but then there is always a reason for not crossing the finish line.
   I love watching people who are not as good as most, yet get in there and do their best and finish. (eg. school sports days.)

4. Remain faithful - stay true in their heart to God. Not only did they not give up in what they were doing but they did not give up on God when it seemed like He was not there.
   A preacher has been quoted as saying – “I’m not interested in your praise when God comes through for you. I’m interested in your praise when He doesn’t. - When the person doesn’t get healed, the finance doesn’t come through, when people don’t like what you did and said, when you loose your job, can’t pay the rent - Faith is praising God like Paul and Silas when you’re still in the prison.”

Jesus asked the question in Luke 18:7-8 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?

I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

Likewise we have Abraham as an example when it comes to our faith and righteousness.
Rom 4:16-18 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,

(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.

Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.

Even though such a promise seemed utterly impossible! Abraham’s faith did not weaken or wavered …. his faith grew stronger … even though he was too old to be a father (100 years old). Because of faith … it was credited to him as righteousness.
We were made righteous by Grace through faith and we will receive a crown of righteousness for living our life in determined and dedicated faith.