I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
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.”
-2Timothy 4 :6-8
I do not take the credit for what follows; they are the notes from a sermon, (paraphrased) given by the amazing RT Kendall, of whom I had the great privilege of hearing recently.
“Prize, inheritance, reward…crown.
Gaining the crown, not just entering into the gates of heaven, is the result of persevering to the end, finishing well as Paul did.
Here are 10 tips for gaining the crown of righteousness:
#1: Put yourself totally under Holy Scripture…don’t ever think you are above Scripture, lest you become yesterday’s man like King Saul.
#2: Be accountable to reliable people. The “I’m accountable to God”line? That is a dangerous excuse. Establish transparent accountability to reliable godly people.
#3: Be squeaky clean when it comes to money. Do nothing dishonest in any of your finances, whether it be personal, business, or mnistry.
#4: Maintain sexual purity. Billy Graham Evangelistic Association states sexual impropriety accounts for the fall of 3/4 of Christians.
#5: Come to terms with jealousy when you feel threatened by another’s calling and gifts. Saul became murderously jealous of David, after hearing maidens singing songs of victory-Saul has slain his thousands, David his ten-thousandsafter David killed Goliath.
#6: Be willing not to get the credit for what you do. John 5:44
#7: Always- ALWAYS keep your word. INTEGRITY.
#8: Live in total forgiveness.
#9: Be a thankful person at all times.
#10: Maintain a strong personal prayer life.
Use a Bible reading plan and read Scriptures daily.
Beloved, Follow these rules faithfully, moment by moment. Feasting on God’s Word and being filled with Holy Spirit, hungering and thirsting for righteousness as we remain in him will not only get us to the finish line, but also gain for us the crown of righteousness as well-the very thing we hungered and thirsted for.