Now there is in store 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 longed for his appearing.

2 Timothy 4:8

I seldom hear anyone talk about a “crown of righteousness.”  In fact, I do not hear the word, “crown” hardly at all. Crowns are unknown in our culture expect now and again a super athlete receives a fictional crown of achievement. And when have we last heard the word “righteousness” in the press or in conversation? It is a new word to us and we must think about its meaning.

First of all, it is a gift.  It is not earned as we usually think of earning something by working for it. God has it in his store!  He presents these precious crowns of righteousness to pronounce us righteous, especially meaningful because he himself is righteous, the one who judges righteousness with divine wisdom.

Righteousness is not something that we accumulate!  It is a gift from the Righteous One, God the Judge. If we were to be judged by how fastidious we are in obeying to perfection all the rules of what we understand by righteousness, who could possibly stand?  Yet because we are in Christ, we receive God’s righteousness as a gift, nothing less.  This seems an impossibility but as I think about it, that is exactly what happens.  It is called God’s grace!

A second thing that amazes me is that all who love God as forgiven disciples of Jesus Christ will have this dazzling crown.  It is not like a wreath that is placed on the head of only one runner, no, it is for all who long for “his appearing.”

These words catapult us into the future, in a way, when we stand before the righteous Judge who places on our heads this crown.  It is for those who have longed for his appearing. 

The renowned Apostle Paul has his, you have yours, I have mine. Haleluyah!