Scripture: 2 Timothy 4 v 1 - 8:
Verse 8: "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."
Jesus will give a Crown of Righteousness to those
disciples who have faithfully allowed God's plan for their lives to be fully
manifested. If they have been obedient and honest in their ministry and taken
good care of the flock of God, putting their needs before their own, then there
will be a righteous crown for them. However I believe they will lay every crown
at the feet of Jesus for He alone is worthy.
Paul led Timothy to the Lord and gave him the best
foundation for his ministry; exhorting him to be an evangelist and to be very
watchful over using the right doctrines. Paul told him to reprove and strongly
rebuke those who preach false doctrines. For us today this must also be true as
with apostasy abounding in the church the false doctrines are rife and the true
gospel in freefall.
Paul had come to the end of his Earthly ministry and had
created a legacy for the Church of wisdom and stability. He had great passion
for Jesus and had suffered beatings, whippings, imprisonment and other awful persecutions
because he taught the people to oppose the reigning Caesar, the Ruler and god
of Rome to over a billion Roman Catholics who are unaware that they belong to a
cult. The Pope and all Catholics have elevated Mary to goddess status as
Co-Saviour with Jesus Christ.
Mary was the lovely Earthly mother of Jesus but died and
went to Heaven just like each one of us. She received the Baptism of the Holy
Spirit in the Upper Room with all the other disciples, and was never born
without sin. Jesus never elevated her nor is there any scripture that says
salvation is through Mary. She does not answer prayers and any communication
with her is occultic spiritualism. Mary herself must loathe the religious
nonsense going on about her.
Paul knew that Jesus had a crown for him even though he
considered himself the least of all the saints because he had been guilty of
persecuting the Church and consenting to the death of Stephen.
Saints are born again Christians; sinners are not yet
born again. That is how God sees the people of Earth - either saint or sinner,
no nationality or religion or colour or gender. In the Catholic Church you can
only become a saint after performing miracles after your death. Seriously?
We must endeavour to do our utmost for the Kingdom of God
whether or not there is any reward other than to be in Heaven for eternity. Our
work is to lift Jesus up so He can draw all men to Himself. The Holy Spirit has
given us spiritual gifts such as speaking in tongues, miracles, healings,
faith, prophecy, word of knowledge, word of wisdom and discerning of spirits of
good and evil. We must use these gifts under His guidance to help one another
and overcome the wiles of the devil.
Our true crown is to bring glory to the name of Jesus as
faithful followers. Let people see us as beacons of light to draw them into the
bosom of our Father.
Prayer: Father God Jesus is coming again and there is an
urgency in our hearts for the lost to have a chance to be saved. If we love our
friends and family we should share the gospel with them. Give us the courage O
Lord. In Jesus' name. Amen.