The following "Question" was asked by a member of the congregation at Grace Community Church in Panorama City, California, and "Answered" by their pastor, John MacArthur Jr. It was transcribed from the tape, GC 70-12, titled "Questions and Answers--Part 40." A copy of the tape can be obtained by writing, Word of Grace, P.O. Box 4000, Panorama City, CA 91412 or by dialing toll free 1-800-55-GRACE. Copyright 2001 by John MacArthur Jr., All Rights Reserved.
Question
A few weeks back, you were teaching and you mentioned that the crown of the believers was not a physical, material crown, but that of the joy that we have in leading someone to Christ. I just was wondering how that fit in with this verse in Revelation 3:11. Speaking of the Church of Philadelphia, it says, “I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have so that no one will take your crown.”
Answer
What he’s saying there--well, he’s certainly wasn’t meaning a physical crown or they’d be going around like this, holding onto it. What he is saying is don’t default in your spiritual life and forfeit your reward. John says the same thing--II John 8 I think-“Look to yourselves that you lose not the things which you have wrought but that you receive a full reward." You can earn a reward and lose it. And that reward, the crown of rejoicing, for example, is not a crown that says rejoicing; it is a crown, which is rejoicing. The crown of life is not a crown that says “life”; it is a crown, which is eternal life. That crown’s your life! That’s what that means. And when he says, “Don’t let anybody take your crown,” what he means is don’t let anybody lead you down a path of sin that will somehow lessen the potential of your eternal reward. That’s what he’s saying.
Added to Bible Bulletin Board's "MacArthur’s Questions and
Answers" by:
Tony Capoccia
Bible Bulletin Board
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