Crowns of Glory When Jesus Comes Again
Not What We'd Expect
In 1 Thessalonians ii:19 Paul asks this question —
What is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at His coming?
In other words, when Jesus comes back and Paul stands before Him, what will be the focus of Paul'due south hope, joy, and boast?
We would wait the answer to be Jesus Christ, because Paul says he waits for the hope of Christ'southward glory (Titus ii:13), his joy is in Christ (Phil 3:1), and his avowal is the Cross of our Lord Jesus (Gal vi:fourteen).
So Paul's promise, joy, and boast is Jesus Christ. But that'due south not his answer in 1 Thessalonians two. Here'due south the whole passage —
For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at His coming? Is information technology not you? For yous are our celebrity and joy.
And so which is it? At the Second Coming, volition Paul's promise, joy, and boast exist Jesus Christ? Or volition information technology exist the Thessalonian believers?
I believe the answer is both — in dissimilar ways.
Jesus Is Our Celebrity And Joy
At the Second Coming, when Paul is face up to confront with Jesus Christ, Paul will be filled with joy.
Imagine that moment — personally continuing before the One who —
- created the universe
- and then loved us that he became a human and so he could be punished in our place
- humbled himself to exist born as a baby
- said to the paralytic "your sins are forgiven"
- cast the money-changers out of the temple
- set his confront to go to Jerusalem knowing the horror that awaited him
- cried out "My God, why have you forsaken me?"
- emerged from the tomb victorious over sin, Satan, and death
When nosotros see the glory of Christ we volition be filled with joy. Fall on our faces. Trip the light fantastic toe with joy. Shout with praise.
Jesus Christ will be our glory and joy. Forever.
Believers Volition Exist Our Celebrity And Joy
Only Paul also says the Thessalonians will be his glory and joy. How does that work?
Have you ever worshiped with other believers, and during a song opened your eyes and seen another believer with their easily raised in admiration of Christ, or kneeling in humble worship of Christ, or whose face was radiant with honey for Christ?
What happened equally you did that? Yous felt even more than joy and celebrity in worship.
But why? Were you worshiping that person? No. But that person's worship showed you even more of Jesus' glory — which gave yous even more joy in worshiping Christ.
That's how believers will exist your celebrity and joy. Their raised hands, tears of joy, humble kneeling, and dancing with delight will show yous more than of Jesus' glory so you take fifty-fifty more than joy in Him.
To some degree this will be true of all believers we meet in sky. Simply this is specially truthful of believers whom we have helped grow in trusting Christ.
Especially Believers We Have Helped
Annotation the connection in Paul's mind between his longing to strengthen their faith, and them being his glory and joy —
We endeavored the more than eagerly and with cracking desire to see you face to face … FOR you are our glory and joy. THEREFORE … I sent to learn most your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you, and our labor would be in vain. (i Thessalonians 2:17 – 3:five)
So it's especially those Paul has led to Christ and strengthened in organized religion who will be Paul'due south glory and joy when Christ returns.
Hither's how this works. Think of someone you led to Christ, or strengthened in trusting Christ. The day is coming when you will see them in heaven worshiping Christ. Their worship will display even more of Jesus' celebrity, which will fill you with joy.
But the fact that, past God'due south grace, you helped bring them to heaven to praise Jesus' glory, will requite you fifty-fifty more joy in their worship.
Not because your efforts display your glory. But because your efforts displayChrist'southward glory. By God's grace, your life has brought more glory to Jesus Christ.
Yous will recall how y'all —
- boldly shared the Gospel with them.
- studied God'southward Word with them.
- devoted your energy, money, and fourth dimension to them.
- taught them about living past faith.
- were patient when they failed.
- pursued them when they drifted.
- brought them to the Cross when they sinned.
- confessed to them when you failed.
- prayed with them.
- worshiped with them.
And at that place they are, standing before Jesus Christ, shining with His glory.
They will exist your celebrity and joy.
Let This Motivate Yous
There are lots of reasons nosotros lead people to organized religion and build people in religion.
Only ane reason is considering in them we will see more of Jesus' glory, then take more joy in Jesus' glory, forever.
In that sense, they will be our celebrity and joy.
Some of you lot take been laboring and seen much fruit. Encounter information technology all as a gift from nail-pierced hands, and press on for more than.
Others have been laboring and seen little fruit. Exist assured that God has many means to requite us joy in Jesus' glory.
But others have not been laboring. So let this stir your heart.
Forever you will take the joy of beholding Jesus' glory. And the more you lead people to faith, and strengthen people in faith, the more joy in Christ you lot will have forever.
Who is your glory and joy?
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And here are some related posts y'all might find helpful –
- How God Saved A Hardened Atheist
- A Different Way To Share The Gospel
- How Can I Help Others Abound In Faith?
- How To Strengthen Your Faith
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Source: https://livingbyfaithblog.com/2013/07/25/why-does-paul-say-people-are-his-glory-and-joy/
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