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Crown of glory – Part 1

By Lawrence Achudume
24 May 2020   |   3:33 am
Know ye not that they that run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things

Lawrence Achudume

Know ye not that they that run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible.

I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
But I keep under my body and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

There is always a reward for the successful completion of any job done in life, both in the secular and Christian faith. In schools, prizes are given to those who top the class. In organisations, the best staffs are promoted and given a raise. In churches, people who excel at kingdom service are recognised and made to be leaders, and that is how it runs in every place that produces good service.

Those who top their class, get promoted and become leaders did not just get there by doing nothing. There was a conscious decision and a deliberate effort to get there. When everybody knows that a prize will be given, they stretch themselves to pay the price to get it. They read where they have to, surf the Internet for more information and do everything they need to do to achieve that goal and get the promised reward.

The beauty of life is in finishing well. Starting is not enough and not just to finish, but to finish well is the ultimate. And that is why the preacher rightly said in Ecclesiastics 7:8 that “better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof.”

Everybody in the Christendom has their own race to run. The goal at the end of the day is to finish well and like Apostle Paul said, to fight a good fight.

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 2 Timothy 4:7

There is an end result for every Christian. It is either we finish the fight and obtain the reward or we do not and the success of this race depends on us and our constant yielding to the Holy Spirit.

Jesus is our perfect example. He refused to settle for an alternative. He came, fought, conquered and finished well. No wonder Apostle Paul made a beautiful reference to Him as the only example and model for the believer.

Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith; Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

He fed only on His purpose, dwelt only on His plight, meditated only on His mission and no other thing caught His attention but finishing the work well. He was consumed with His heavenly assignment and was ready to frustrate anything that may try to militate against His purpose. He went through everything that man could be subjected to, yet He finished his course.

Jesus gave a parable of the man in Matthew 25: 14-30, who travelled and left his servants with talents, something that would occupy them in his absence. He gave each of them according to their abilities. Permit me to reiterate that he gave unto every man according to his ability. Many of us may feel like we cannot attain because God has probably given unto us more than what we can handle.

Victory Life Bible Church Intl., Km. 9, Olabisi Onabanjo Way, Opp. Ogtv, Ajebo Abeokuta.  P.O.Box 1537, Sapon, Abeokuta 110001, Ogun State Nigeria, W/Africa Www.Vlbcinternational.Org

 

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