What Crown Will You Have to Cast?

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Years ago I read of Queen Victoria saying she would like to lay her crown at Jesus' feet. I found that updated in a September, 2022 article by Charles Gardner:

“I wish Jesus would come back in my lifetime.” Asked why, she reportedly replied: “Because I would place my crown at his feet.” Victoria’s great-great granddaughter, Elizabeth, carried the same heart for Jesus.

In that same article, Gardner also wrote of a Christmas message from Queen Elizabeth II: 

Some years ago, for example, she quoted a verse from a well-known carol, In the bleak midwinter:

 “What can I give him, poor as I am, If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb, If I were a wise man, I would do my part, Yet what I can I give him, give my heart.”

As a true evangelist in the spirit of Billy Graham, she encouraged millions of viewers to give Jesus their heart. This was our Queen, and we are all so proud of her!

 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. (Revelation 4:4 KJV)

The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. (Revelation 4:10-11 KJV)

Do you know what crowns are available when we believe God exists, loves mankind, sent a Redeemer to remove our sins that keep from God, and provides us eternal life? Here's the short list:

Simply being in God’s presence is a joy filled crown of righteousness.

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. (2 Timothy 4:8 KJV)

The crown of righteousness is available to all.

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. (James 1:12 KJV)

Same with the crown of life – another crown is available to all who love Him.

And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. (1 Peter 5:4 KJV)

This following crown is not for all.  This one is special, for those here on earth who lead the church, feeding His flock.

Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. (Revelation 2:10 KJV)

Indeed, would we not want to follow the example of the elders and cast our crowns before the King of Kings who provided those very crowns simply because we loved Him when He loved us?

All of those crowns are handed to us through God's grace. There is not one thing we can do to earn them - not one iota of work is required:

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:8-10 KJV)

Oooops - there's that "work" word in verse 10. Seems to be pretty well tied to the grace, faith, walk, doesn't it. We are created to do good works. When we know what God has for us, we will do good work. James says it very well - and says more in that second chapter than this:

Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? (James 2:17-20 KJV)

Once knowing the love of God that brought us to Him, it is given to us the understanding what work He has for us to do. That goes back to the lesson of the body of Christ. 1st Corinthians 12 has a lot of information on the "body of Christ." Bottom line, we are one with Christ and what we do in our lives has one goal - to be with Christ here on earth, always looking forward to being with Him in heaven.

For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. (1 Corinthians 12:13-14 KJV)

When you are with others, do you deliberately go out of your way to belittle them? Do it by accident? Or be aware of them and focus on bringing happiness to them and to yourself. That, my friend, is doing good work. Better work would to be certain they were aware of how important your belief in Jesus Christ is to you -- if it is. Too often, Jesus is not important in our livess and we do not work at letting others know our goal is bringing glorty to God through our lives.

Can people see your faith in your actions? Do they understand your faith will bring you crowns, and you'd like to share that with them?