The Crown Of Life

According to the Bible, God promises the crown of life to those who faithfully endure the trials and tribulations that come with following Him.

As believers in Christ, we will face persecution and oppression—whether physical, spiritual, or both. This is the reality of walking as true disciples of Jesus.

At the root of these trials is our Adversary, the Devil. He seeks to keep us from the freedom and life that God offers. His goal is to enslave us spiritually, to bring us under the dominion of death. He desires ownership of our souls, striving to turn our allegiance away from God and toward himself and his demonic forces.

Spiritual Life

But as believers, we understand that our true life is not meant to be surrendered. I’m referring not to our physical existence, but to our spiritual life—the life embodied in the Son of God. He is our very essence.

John 1:4 In Him was life, and that life was the light of men.

Indeed, our spiritual life is the very Spirit we received from God when we put our faith in Him—the Spirit of His Son now living within us. This Spirit empowers us with the courage to stand against our Adversary and gives us the freedom to live unbound by the chains of the Devil.

Romans 8:15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”

Moreover, we are called to fight for our spiritual life, even if it costs us our physical bodies. That is why we must continue living in the spiritual life found in the Son of God—our Lord Jesus Christ, our light. It is through this unwavering faith and perseverance that we will receive the eternal crown of life.

The Son Of God

1 John 5:12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

Our Adversary, the Devil, fully recognizes the power of the life found in the Son of God. He knows this life is mighty, glorious, and eternal—a divine gift given to those who place their faith in God and love Him. Through this life, God desires to share His glory with us and to call us His sons and daughters.

Galatians 4:6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!”

And since God has placed the Spirit of His Son within us, the Devil is constantly trying to sever our connection to the very source of our life—Christ Himself. The Devil desires our death—not just physically, but spiritually—separation from God and His Son. He relentlessly seeks to deceive and coerce people into surrendering that life.

But as believers, we know the truth: if we endure the Devil’s lies and withstand all that he throws at us, we will receive the crown of life—the very reward God has promised to those who remain steadfast through trials and tribulations.

James 1:12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

Therefore, we must hold tightly to the Spirit of the Son of God, even if it means enduring spiritual or physical suffering. This is our opportunity to show God that we truly love Him.

Revelation 2:10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

The Sufferings Of Christ

So, you might ask, how can someone truly know they’ve been given the crown of life?

The answer is this: when a person clings to the Son of God—who is their spiritual life—they will begin to experience what the Bible calls the sufferings of Christ. These are not random hardships, but a sharing in the very trials that Christ endured. And when that person has faithfully endured those sufferings, they will receive the crown of life.

The following verses speak to these sufferings of Christ—sufferings we are called to share with the Son of God who lives within us.

1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad about exceeding joy. 14If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part, He is blasphemed, but on your part, He is glorified. 15But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. 16Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.

Whether we face trials and tribulations spiritually, physically, or both, we must not let go of the Son of God, who is our life. Instead, we are called to persevere, just as the Bible urges us to do.

Hebrews 10:38 But My righteous one will live by faith; and if he shrinks back, I will take no pleasure in him.”

Therefore, we gain our life by faithfully walking with God, even in the midst of severe trials. No matter what challenges come our way, we must not let go of our life in Christ. By holding fast, we show our loyalty and devotion to God. But if we turn away and shrink back in unfaithfulness, the Word warns that He will also deny us.

Matthew 10:33 But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father in heaven.

My friends and brothers, let us continue to endure so that we may receive the crown of life—the reward God has promised to those who love Him. We hold on to this hope because we have shared in the sufferings of His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and have remained faithful through every trial.

Romans 8:17 And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ–if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him.

Hence, don’t be discouraged by the sufferings we’re facing, brethren. Our Lord God Almighty will give us the strength to endure and make it bearable—if we do not give up.

1 Peter 5:10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast.

Additionally, Apostle Paul said in the following verse:

2 Corinthians 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,

Live By Faith

Just as our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, endured and received His crown, He desires to share with us all that He has received from the Father. He has promised to help us through our sufferings, because He Himself endured even greater trials. And because He overcame, He is able to help us overcome as well—so that we, like Him, may walk in victory and share in His triumph.

Our Lord Jesus Christ himself told us:

John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

So, let us continue to live our lives in the Son of God, even in the midst of the trials and tribulations we face because of Him. The Devil will keep trying to manipulate us and isolate us from the world in which our physical bodies still dwell. But we can find comfort and strength in these scriptures:

1 Corinthians 9:25 Everyone who competes in the games trains with strict discipline. They do it for a crown that is perishable, but we do it for a crown that is imperishable.

And remember the verse below, if you encounter any spirit that is trying to exclude you from doing or participating in something.

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Hang On To Your Crown

Even after we received this crown, we need to hang on to it because the Devil will continually try to take this crown from us.

Revelation 3:11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.

Once again, in the following verse, we are told to hang on to what we have received.

Revelation 2:25 Nevertheless, hold fast to what you have until I come.

Conclusion

The “crown of life” is given to those who persevere under trials and tribulations. It is a spiritual crown of life. It is the life that will live forever.  This life is found in the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ our light.

Colossians 3:4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

I hope that the Holy Spirit has guided your understanding upon reading this blog. I will expand more on this topic of “life”. I will share my insight on how the “crown of life is also connected to the “bread of life”, the “book of life”, the “tree of life” as they are all part of the “eternal life” that is in Jesus Christ, our life.

Until then, may God bless you, brethren!