Can We Earn The Crown

Some insist that either eternal life is free or we have to earn it. Neither of these doctrines are found in the scriptures. The Lord gives us his pathway. We can not earn eternal life. We all know this truth (Rom 4:4). Similarly, if salvation were absolutely free then everyone would have it. Who would refuse it? Ah, but we are told that: 'Only those who are willing to receive it, will receive the free gift.' Sadly enough, this doctrine is highly contradictory. We are told that 'there is absolutely nothing you can do to get salvation.' Immediately on the heels of that statement, they further clarify - there is something everyone who receives it must do! He must be willing to receive it. It may be something intellectual that he must do, but who is going to do it for him? Teaching us that there is nothing you can do to receive salvation and then tell what each one must do to receive it - is blindness and folly. All of the personal illustrations about receiving a gift, etc. do not negate the fact. Each person must make his or her own decision. It is something that each must do. The doctrine that there is nothing that we can do' in our salvation is false. The Lord informs us of what we must do to attain the crown. `"And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully" (2 Tim 2:5).` It is a fact. We would be wise to listen to all of the rules in order to be able to comply so that God will give us the crown of life.
The Lord describes his pathway as a race. We know that the crown is neither earned nor given for no effort at all. The prize must be won. The prize is not in direct proportion to the effort expended. The Lord's scriptures teach us that we can win the crown.
The language of the Christian race is found throughout the New Testament. It is taught as a part of the first principles of the gospel. The Galatians were running that race (Gal 5:7). The Corinthians were commanded to run as described above. Paul was running that race (Gal 2:2), and was seeking to win the incorruptible crown (1 Cor 9:26). He finished the race several months before he died (2 Tim 4:7,8). Some imagine that everyone naturally finishes the race when they die. That principle or rule has not been true for any fight or race. Death does not cause anyone to win any crown. If death were the finish line Paul would not have said "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith" several months before he died (2 Tim 4:7,8). No, death can not be the finish line. The brethren in Smyrna were encouraged to press on until they were killed so they could win the crown (Rev 2:10). The Philadelphians had already won the crown and were warned: `"Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown." (Rev 3:11).` They had not died but they, like Paul several months before he died, had finished the course. Timothy was charged to remind the faithful brethren in Ephesus that: `"...if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully." (2 Tim 2:5). The` brethren scattered abroad were encouraged to remember that only those who endure, finish the trials and overcome will receive the crown (Jas 1:12). The early Christians thought in terms of running to win. We are commanded to "be thus minded" also (Phil 3:14, 15). Are we obeying that command? Under what guise can faithful children of God ignore this command? We need to obey. We should faithfully seek to understand and run this race that God has set before us. We should further determine to run it with patience. The promise of the crown of life is to that those who arrive at the finish line. This is not earning the crown. It is obeying the command to win it.

Home