“What will be our…crown as we stand before our Lord Jesus when he returns? It is you!” 1 Thessalonians 2:19 NLT

The second crown mentioned in scripture is the crown of rejoicing. It’s given to those who take part in leading others to Christ. The background for this passage is in Acts 17, which tells the story of Paul arriving in the city of Thessalonica. He went into the synagogue, “and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the scriptures, explaining…that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, ‘This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ’” (vv. 2-3 NKJV). Some of his hearers were converted, including a great multitude of devout Greeks and a number of prominent women. As a result, a church was built there. Writing to them later, Paul said that they would be his crown when Christ returned. We should all follow Bill Bright’s example; he was one of the best soul winners of the twentieth century. And he once disclosed his secret: “Although I have shared Christ personally with many thousands of people through the years, I am a rather reserved person and I do not always find it easy to witness. But I have made this my practice, and I urge you to do the same: assume that whenever you are alone with another person for more than a few moments, you are there by divine appointment to explain…the love and forgiveness he [or she] can know through faith in Jesus Christ.” When was the last time you shared the gospel with someone? Whenever you do, the Lord is fitting you for a crown of rejoicing.

The Word for You Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from Celebration Enterprises, Inc. Copyright © 2024