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Post by Leeza on May 9, 2015 20:12:43 GMT
I posed these questions under Morningstar's Crowns thread. I'm wondering if anyone can answer it for me.
I have two questions about the crowns if anyone can answer them:
1. The Crown of Life: James 1:12 says, Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
Does a person have to be a martyr in order to receive the crown of life? Could he/she receive the crown for being patient under extreme suffering and maintain their faith in God like Job did?
2. The Crown of the Soul Winner: Does it matter how many souls you have brought to the Lord to win this crown? Suppose you have only won one or two people to the Lord, in spite of the others who you have witnessed to who rejected Him? Would you be worthy of the crown in that case?
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Post by Benjamin on May 9, 2015 22:22:42 GMT
Good questions.
For #1, I think the answer is yes - you can receive that crown for enduring trials and tribulations, persecution and so on. I don't think that's just for martyrs.
For #2, I'm not actually convinced that this crown is for winning souls - rather, it's for being faithful in preaching the gospel and shepherding the flock. Check with 1 Peter 5 for this, where this crown is described (The "Crown of Righteousness"). This is really a mark of faithfulness and obedience. As I like to quite: "Maybe success is measured best by nothing less than our obedience".
It's not about how many souls are won - after all, that increase is The Lord's, not ours - it's about our faithfulness to Him in seeking them.
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Post by Gr8tful on May 9, 2015 22:35:51 GMT
Here's what I posted on MS post re; this
Leeza I think as for as the witnessing crown goes, I believe it would be even one or else I would think He'd say otherwise. And doesn't He go out to the one? Each one matters to Him. Besides it is He who deals with the heart, we are just the vessels to share the gospel and let them know they have a choice.
RE: Crown of Life, it sounds like those who endure trials. There are many trials in life. What about a parent who's child has cancer but stands on the promise of God thru it all?! That's a great faith right there! What about the guys on the plane on 9eleven who intervened and had the plane crash in a field instead of building full of more people? That was a great faith as I know a few of them anyway were Christian.
Anyway, that's just my thoughts.
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Post by Leeza on May 10, 2015 2:03:37 GMT
Good answers, Benjamin and Gr8tful. Thank you both. I did see your explanation on MS's thread, Gr8tful, good one!
Yes, the explanation about the soul winning crown makes sense, Benjamin.
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Post by shiloh on May 10, 2015 9:53:09 GMT
Good answers.
I agree (and it is scripural) that obedience is better than sacrifice. I used to think that sacrifice and obedience were the same thing, but they aren't. Maybe that comes from my RCC background.
Leeza, did you read that article that I posted the link to by Jack Kinsella on the other thread by Morningstar?
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Post by Leeza on May 10, 2015 17:56:52 GMT
Good answers. I agree (and it is scripural) that obedience is better than sacrifice. I used to think that sacrifice and obedience were the same thing, but they aren't. Maybe that comes from my RCC background. Leeza, did you read that article that I posted the link to by Jack Kinsella on the other thread by Morningstar? Yeah, Shiloh, I also believed the same thing....about sacrifice and obedience being the same thing. Definitely a RCC teaching. I did see the Jack Kinsella article, thank you! I enjoyed it very much. |
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