The Crowning Day (3)

by J. Miller | Category: Voices From The Past - Extracted From Jottings | Dec 1979

In association with the crown of righteousness we read: "The time of my departure is come. I have fought the good fight (the beautiful fight - it seems a strange paradox to combine the idea of beauty and excellence with a fight), I have finished the course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give to me at that day: and not only to me, but also to all them that have loved His appearing" (2 Tim. 4:6-8). The reason for the award of this crown of righteousness is obvious. It is for a completed life-work, a finished course; a crown of righteousness given by a righteous Judge. Many have started well to run in this course, but have turned aside after a meaner prize; they failed to stick to their task to the last. Perhaps they forgot that the Lord was returning to this scene to establish the principles of truth contained in "the Faith" which they should have kept. To love His appearing carries us beyond the return of the Lord for His saints; it carries us to the time when He will appear to set up His kingdom (see 2 Tim. 4:1).

It is in the light of this great fact that we are to hold fast till the day of our release comes, either as Paul knew it, at the day of our departure, or at the Lord's return. In the day of recompense we shall get what we have earned, and if we have, like Paul, completed our work fully, then we can look forward to gaining this greatly-to-be-coveted prize, the crown of righteousness.

Lastly, we read of the crown of glory that fadeth not away (1 Pet. 5:4). This is the shepherd's crown. "Tend the flock of God which is among you" (verse 2), said Peter to his fellow-elders. How very much is in the word "tend"! All the work of the shepherd is in it to feed, govern, direct, guide, protect, provide for the welfare of, cherish, and if there be any other thing that the Lord's flock needs here, it comes within the word "tend".

This has to be done willingly, and not of constraint; not for money, but of a ready mind; not lording it over the allotted charge, but being ensamples to the flock. What heart-searching and heart-aching work it is if done in the sympathy of a true shepherd! But it is work which will not be forgotten by the Chief Shepherd when He is manifested. The crown of unfading glory will be the portion of all true shepherds.

J. Miller | Dec 1979
Voices From The Past - Extracted From Jottings