Monday, August 6, 2007

The Cross then the Crown - Part 2

Sorry it's taken so long to bring you part 2 of this series. Things have been pretty crazy in my life. I had the contents of this post written at the same time as the previous post, but the Lord in His mercy allowed me experience some personal suffering before I wrote about it.

We spent 5 hours in the emergency room on Lindsey's birthday and found out that she was miscarrying our 3rd child. It was all kind of a blur for me until I got home and made some phone calls to my parents to tell them. I cried and asked for prayer for our unborn child. Lindsey and I prayed together and asked that God would be glorified no matter what. And we believe He was. The next day we lost the baby. As we shared with others we were so encouraged and blessed by those who have also gone through a miscarriage.

It was a great reminder to us that life is so fragile and that every day that we have is to be cherished. I'm also more convinced than ever that though I may not understand God's purpose in pain and suffering, His will is perfect and He will be glorified always!

So now onto the thoughts I had following the previous post...

Paul, James, Peter and Jesus all speak of us receiving a crown one day. But it is not without a cost...a weighty cost indeed. As Americans, we hate to think about suffering. We go to extremes to avoid suffering at all costs. However, suffering is to be the norm for the Christian. We are strangers and aliens here, not to be in love with this world.

As Paul awaited his execution in a Roman prison, he penned these words to Timothy,

As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up 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 loved his appearing.
2 Timothy 4:5-8

James reminded early Christians that,

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

Peter wrote to encourage those who were becoming discouraged by the persecution that they were receiving because of their faith in Jesus.

And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading CROWN of glory.
1 Peter 5:4

To those in the church in Smyrna, Jesus said these words,

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

In a day when "Christian" bookstores are filled with books about how to be rich, happy and comfortable and nearly every "pastor" on TV spews the same garbage, how can we as believers in the Lord who know we are called to take up our cross and count the cost, suffer well for the glory of God and confront the "prosperity gospel" teaching?

I'd like to get your thoughts!