Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 Gray hair: Crown of glory

2 Timothy 4:8
Verse: "Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing."
 
Paul’s life and ministry provides us a powerful example for modeling Christ today. Not only did he “fight the good fight,” but he also “finished the race” and “kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). Paul knew that his death was near (verse 6) but had no regrets. After Jesus took control of his life (Acts 9:15-16), Paul had lived life to the fullest, fulfilling all that Jesus had charged and empowered him to do (Ephesians 3:6; 2 Timothy 4:17). 

In Paul's letter to Timothy, his main concern was to encourage Timothy to stand firm in the faith, regardless of the circumstances of his life or the consequences of his decisions. Paul reminded Timothy of his own testimony. Paul had preached the gospel in all kinds of places and before all kinds of people, and he had suffered physical dangers as well as personal disgraces in doing so. Paul said, through it all, he had “kept” the faith. Paul knew his ministry was over, and he could face his date with death with a great sense of fulfillment and accomplishment, knowing he had not only finished the work God had called him to do, but he had finished well.

Because of his faithfulness to his calling, as well as to the One who had called him, and because of his fidelity to the gospel God had entrusted to him, Paul said a “crown of righteousness” had been reserved for him, and the Lord Jesus Himself would give it to him.
The crown of righteousness is one of the five crowns issued to the followers of Christ on the day we stand before Him:
  • The imperishable crown – 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 – to be given to those who run their race according to the rules.
  • The crown of rejoicing – 1 Thessalonians 2:19 – God Himself will wipe away every tear from our eyes.
  • The crown of righteousness – 2 Timothy 4:8 – to be given to those dressed in the righteousness of Christ alone.
  • The crown of glory – 1 Peter 5:4 – to be given to those who longed for the Lord’s return.
  • The crown of life – Revelation 2:10 – to be given to those who remained faithful to Christ, even in the midst of great suffering and martyrdom.
Everyone ages, but not everyone grows wise. Everyone wears gray hair, but not everyone wears the crown. That crown needs to be earned through a righteous life. And so each of us needs to ask: Am I living the kind of life that will allow that gray hair—that proof that I’ve grown old—to also stand as a symbol that I’ve grown wise, that I’ve lived a righteous life?
 
Prayer
Father God, help us to live righteously and to grow old with grace so that we may be worthy of the crown of glory as we finish our race here on earth. Amen

Thought for the Day
“When granted many years of life, growing old in age is natural, but growing old with grace is a choice. Growing older with grace is possible for all who will set their hearts and minds on the Giver of grace, the Lord Jesus Christ.” — Billy Graham

Eapen Ninan Kanichukattu
South Florida

Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church

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