Video Ministries

The Crown of Life

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. 2 Tim. 4:8.

Paul kept ever in view the crown of life which was to be given to him, and
not to him only, but also to all those who love Christ's appearing. But it
was victory through Jesus Christ that made the crown of life so desirable to
him. Jesus would not have us ambitious to obtain reward, but ambitious to do
God's will because it is His will, irrespective of the reward we are to
receive.

The gift of God is eternal life. The Lord desires all who receive His grace
to trust entirely in Him. He calls upon us to exercise pure, simple faith,
trusting in Him, without a question as to what recompense we shall receive.
We are to work heartily in His service, showing that we have perfect
confidence that He will judge righteously.

In the account of the judgment scene, when the reward is given to the
righteous, and sentence is passed on the wicked, the righteous are
represented as wondering what they have done that they should receive such
reward. But they cherished an abiding faith in Christ. They were imbued with
His Spirit, and, without conscious effort, they performed for Christ, in the
person of His saints, those services that bring a sure reward. But their
motive in working was not to receive compensation. They regarded it as the
highest honor to be allowed to work as Christ worked. What they did was done
from love to Christ and to their fellowmen, and He who has identified
Himself with suffering humanity accredited these acts of compassion and love
as though done to Himself. . . .

Our every endowment, our every talent, we owe to the Lord. Every victory
gained is gained through His grace. Therefore, it is entirely out of place
for us to boast. . . .

If we would remember that we are on test and trial before the heavenly
universe, that God is proving us, to see what spirit we are of, there would
be more serious contemplation, more earnest prayer. Those who work in
simplicity realize that of himself man can do no good thing. They are full
of gratitude and thanksgiving for the privilege of holding communion with
God. Interwoven with their service is a principle that makes their gifts and
offerings wholly fragrant. They have the same confidence and trust in God
that a child has in its earthly father.

It is not so much for our activity and zeal that we are rewarded, but for
the tenderness, the graciousness, the love that we have mingled with our
work for the sick, the oppressed, the afflicted (Signs of the Times, Aug. 9,
1899).

>From Lift Him Up - Page 344

_______________________________________
Devotional subscription administration:
http://egwlists.whiteestate.org/mailman/listinfo/devotional