3h (edited) • General discussion
Inverting the Process Driving the 5 Crowns of Reward Underground
Jesus Commanded: "Do not let anyone steal your crown" (Rev 3:11). The 5 Crowns of Reward are not an optional set of personal actions; they are a integreted process of leadership development. Short-circuiting any one of the 5 Crowns of Reward causes hiccups in the rest of the other Crowns. The following are some of the wiles of the devil to steal your crown.
Stealing Your Crown of Righteousness: STUDY your Bible.
This theft of the devil is the original sin: "did God say" in order to doubt the Word of God. When you read the Bible, if you are struggling with this, just be aware that God knows the lie and is testing your desire to stay in fellowship with His Holy Spirit, who spoke that Scripture. But there are theologies and philosophies swirling out there with the sole design to get you to doubt God's Word. Stay true. This is the base of the rest of your rewards.
Stealing Your Crown Imperishable: SERVE your Church.
If the devil cannot get you to doubt Scripture, the next phase is to turn away from serving the Church. He does this through accusation, slander, and discord. Do not fall for it. Remember if God loved you first in your sinful state, God can love the rest, too. But be on your guard, because those in the Church who have allowed the devil to steal their crown will not like you earning yours right in front of them!
Stealing Your Crown of Life: SUFFER for the Gospel and His name's sake.
The devil fills people with lies of all sorts. One of the biggest lies is that God would never allow you to suffer as His child. Nothing could be further from the truth. Christ suffered in His earthly ministry and commanded us to follow in His footsteps. Never let anyone look on your suffering as proof that you are not following God. Job's life was filled with just that: friends who gave terrible counsel about Job's suffering. Jesus promises "great reward in heaven," i.e., the Crown of Life, for those who endure the hatred of this world for following His example.
Stealing Your Crown of Rejoicing: SHARE the gospel.
The Church has drawn so close to the end times apostasy that the devil has succeeded in making counter-missionaries: people who call themselves Christian but oppose sharing the message of Christ publicly. Do not take their counsel. Christians may be saved by the cross, but if they do not persist in earning their crowns, they end up working "doctrines of demons" (1 Tim 4:1-3). The more you suffer for sharing the gospel of his saving grace, the greater your reward in heaven.
Stealing Your Crown of Glory: SHEPHERD others in these crowns.
If you have kept your crowns up to this point, then you will have no problem shepherding others in their practices. This is the command of Jesus, and the proof that you love Him (Jn 14:15). But beware of those who have traded in their crowns for false teachings: they want you to do the same. Don't let them drag you down into their quagmire. Save them from it if you can, but be wary for your own sake (1 John 5:16-17).
Holding all of the 5 Crowns of Reward is a monumental task. The world, the flesh, and the devil will resist you, and brothers in Christ may accuse and slander you. Hold fast. Whether you are raptured by the bus of the entire Church on the day of Christ, or by His personal escort as Stephen was, your crowns show your love for Christ and soundness of faith and conduct.
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Inverting the Process Driving the 5 Crowns of Reward Underground
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Dr. Justin R. Woods has recognized the need for new Christian leadership in America and has answered the call to reforge Christian leadership.
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