love Him, they are faithful to Him. When trials and tests arrive in their lives, they remain true to Him. They are overcomers who endure temptations and win this crown for remaining faithful to Jesus.
INCORRUPTIBLE
CROWN
"Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run... But I keep my body and bring it into subjection...lest I be a castaway." (I Corinthians 9:24-25)
The Incorruptible Crown is awarded to the Christian who wins the spiritual race that is set before each believer. It is a daily race in which the sins of the flesh must be put off by allowing the Holy Spirit to take control. It is not won until the race is over, and even the Apostle Paul was concerned that he might not win this prize. Yes, even Paul was concerned that he might be a castaway. This should be a lesson for everyone who says it doesn’t matter how you live after you are saved. Even the great Apostle Paul was concerned for his own life.
To win this crown, the believer must be successful in "crucifying the flesh," as is described in Galatians 5:16, 19-26, and by turning from the things of this world.
CROWN
OF
RIGHTEOUSNESS
"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 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." (II Timothy 4:7-8)
The Crown of Righteousness is the next level of reward. It is given for keeping the true faith, i.e., keeping God's Word. Directly associated with keeping the faith is "loving his appearing.” Living in the endtime, you would think that all Christians would receive this crown. And yet, very few modern day Christians even care to discuss the return of the Lord. Paul is saying that those Christians who are alert, and anxiously looking for the Lord to return, are the ones who are keeping the faith. Those who long for that great day are given the wonderful promise of receiving the Crown of Righteousness.
CROWN
OF
REJOICING
"For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? For ye are our glory and joy." (I Thessalonians 2:19-20)
The last two crowns may be the highest rewards of the five crowns. The Crown of Rejoicing is also known as the soul winner’s crown.
In the above verse, Paul was referring to the very faithful Christians from Thessalonica. Paul was instrumental in helping them become faithful Christians who were counted worthy of entering the Kingdom. Because of this, they are seen as holy evidence before Jesus Christ at His return. Their faithfulness to this high calling provided their entrance into the Kingdom, and as a result, Paul saw their faithful lives as a Crown of Rejoicing when the Lord returns.
Likewise, those Christians who teach others and lead others into a deeper relationship with Jesus will also receive the Crown of Rejoicing when the Lord comes. While winning people into a saving knowledge of Christ is important, this crown is given to those who are actually helping other Christians to become faithful disciples, and thereby helping them to gain their own entrance into the coming Kingdom.
Solomon put it this way:
“…he who wins souls is wise.”
(Proverbs 11:30 – NKJV)
CROWN
OF
GLORY
"Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers, not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away." (I Pet.5:2-4)
The Crown of Glory is given to the faithful under-shepherd who properly feeds the sheep. This is any Christian who has matured in the faith and who is teaching others the true teachings from the Word of God. When Jesus comes, they will receive the Crown of Glory. Let’s briefly review the five possible Crowns and how they are earned:
As mentioned earlier, Jesus warned us not to let any man take our crowns. Let's look at each crown, and see how others can make us lose our crowns.
Crown of Life
The Crown of Life is given to those who patiently endure the present trials and tests that come in this life. Those who are overcomers will receive this crown as a reward for their faithfulness. Others can take this crown from the believer through false teaching. Most of the Church has not been taught what it really means to be an overcomer. By so doing, most Christians will not gain this most basic crown.
Most believers feel that they are automatically overcomers by virtue of their salvation. They have never allowed the Holy Spirit to teach them how to really experience His overcoming power in their life. Sadly, false teaching has robbed most of the Church of this most basic reward.
Incorruptible Crown
The incorruptible crown is given to those faithful believers who allow the Spirit to be the master over their flesh. Others will try to take this crown from you by telling you that it doesn't matter how you live after you are saved. They will say, "Go sow a few wild oats," or "You are saved by Grace, don’t worry about it."
The worldly Laodicea church age is filled with Christians who have given in to the desires of the flesh. Don't listen to them; don't let them take your crown. The small pleasures this world has to offer pale in comparison to the many astounding things God has awaiting His faithful.
Crown of Righteousness
This crown is given to those who keep the faith, and love His appearing. Others will try to take this crown from you by trying to get you to give up looking for the Lord's return. This can happen in two ways. Most in the Church are not interested in speaking about the Rapture. By so doing, these believers can discourage your faith and hope in the Lord's coming; thereby causing you to lose your crown. The second way is through the many false alarms that have sounded. Don't cease looking for Jesus! He said He is coming again, and He will return at just the right moment, and not one day late! Don't let others take this crown from you.
Crown of Rejoicing
The soul winner’s crown is given to
