01 March - Our Hope, Our Joy, Our Crown
“For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy.”
1 Thessalonians 2:19-20
Paul asked a rhetorical question, “For what is it we live for, that gives us hope and joy and is our proud reward and crown?” (v.19a LBV). I wonder what your answer is?
For Paul, his answer is not earthly comfort nor riches but Christian converts, “indeed, it is you!” i.e., unbelievers who have responded to Christ through his preaching and ministry. Leading unbelievers to Christ gave the Apostle Paul great reward and enthusiasm. And this divine reward is for all who are faithful soul-winners for Christ, and not just confined to missionaries and pastors.
The new converts to Christianity are Paul’s great joy, “Yes, you will bring us much joy” (v.19b LBV) and it will be our joy as well for every new convert we lead to Christ. The Greek word for joy “chara” is “gladness, cheerfulness and delight.” This cheerful and delighted joy will be multiplied when we stand with the converts before God’s throne, received graciously into ‘the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ’ (v.19). O what state of blessedness and joy together with myriads of angels rejoicing when souls are saved; when unbelievers become believers and are ushered into the Father’s House.
Paul described the moment seeing converts received favourably in God’s presence as like receiving the “crown of rejoicing.” His crown is his converts, ‘you are our glory and joy’ (v.20). The word “crown” is the victor’s crown, the crown of leading someone to Christ. There is a victory and a divine prize given in winning people for Christ, or rather, in allowing God to win people to Christ through us.
For Paul, such a forward-looking, faith-filled anticipation, witnessing the Thessalonian Christians standing favourably before God, gave Paul great motivation and perseverance to carry out the Lord’s commission despite adversities and affliction. Today, is the day of salvation.
Today is the day that we can minister to unbelievers and direct them Christ. May we be gentle witnesses yet courageously passionate to present the gospel message of truth and grace in Christ, and who knows; we may be standing alongside not only with our friends and but also, former foes as well, rejoicing and worshipping together in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Winning people to Christ is a fulfilling investment with an eternal reward. It makes life worthwhile. What a day of rejoicing it will be when all believers are gathered together, and what joy of reunion with our pastors, missionaries and friends standing alongside, who brought us to know Christ when we were unbelievers.
PONDER
Those we win for Christ are our hope, joy, and crown of glory. Who are the people that you have introduced to Christ? Who is the next person that you are hoping and praying to share the good message of Christ with?
PROMISE
Spending eternity with Christ is a great motivation for believers. This confidence will sustain you throughout trials and tribulations. We must keep eternal values in view lest we fail to see from the Lord’s God’s perspective on the purpose of our lives.
PRAYER
Thank You, Lord, for the faithful Christians in my life, who shared the gospel with me, prayed for my salvation, ministered to me, and pointed me to the Lord Jesus Christ, my God, and my Saviour. I pray that I would take every opportunity to testify to the truth of the gospel to people around me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Article by Deaconess Ruth Ong, Deaconess-in-charge of All Souls’ International Community Church, Desa Sri Hartamas, Kuala Lumpur, a church God used her to plant and set-up since 2010.