To Bear the Cross is to Wear the Crown

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Spiritual Crowns are rarely given.

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They come through suffering.

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Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Matt 16:24

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12

Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. Revelation 2:10

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Today, the concept of being “crowned” takes on different forms

When I see images like this below, I have to really wonder. The man in white is a pastor, not a king.

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There also more symbolic forms like

High salaries for ministry

Airplanes

Mansions

Fine clothing

Entourage- personal attendants for person of importance

Fine cars

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But people like this (below) don’t get crowns in this life. So why is that?:

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What is a real Spiritual Crown?

10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; Philippians 3:10

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While we wound not expect the secular world to understand this, the body of Christ should be well aware of it.

The crown is knowing the POWER of His resurrection.

And to be worthy of this, we have to know the fellowship of His SUFFERINGS.

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This is not a reward cheaply gained.

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Martyrs for the faith are a good example.

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But there are also many forms of sufferings, besides martyrdom, for the sake of Christ:

Isolation

Ostracized

Thrown in prison

Slandered

Attacked by demons

Family problems that grieve us

Physical illness

Losing job over faith

Work discrimination

Poverty 

Violence

 

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The direct or admitted cause of these attacks may not be faith based.

Accusers may use a different excuse, or not even know why they are attacking.

But, these can still be attacks in which we RESPOND in a Christ like manner.

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Crowns are not cheap, nor does YHVH God give them out freely.

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Some think just being born again gives us a crown, but that is not true.

Being born again is just the beginning of the journey.

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Crowns are rewards for service, and doing YHVH God’s will, not our own.

There may be no earthly rewards at all for picking up our crosses.

If we seek an earthly reward, then an earthly reward may come, but it will also end when we leave this earth, and it will not have the spiritual value that an eternal reward would give.

Being motivated by reward is of the flesh, and one may not receive any reward at all.

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Proper motivation is the pure love of God, faithfulness, and the love of His Messiah, Jesus/ Yahshua.

There is an accounting in heaven for everything we do.

We receive what we deserve, according to YHVH’s wisdom and mercy, not by our own standards.

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So, remember, before we can wear a crown of glory, we have to wear a crown of thorns.

Most people will not have an actual crown like Jesus / Yahshua wore.

However, I do see many brutally tortured and martyred saints in middle eastern and other countries.

This is the highest level of suffering.

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God will give each one what he can endure.

Use wisdom, and avoid danger.

But, if suffering does come your way, pick up the cross and give YHVH God the glory.

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