Tuesday, June 28, 2011
“For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? For ye are our glory and joy” (1 Thessalonians 2:19,20 KJV).
The Thessalonians, Paul’s most spiritually matured saints, were notable for their “work of faith, labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” (1:3). Their turning away from worshiping worthless idols to serve the living and true God, their good works, and their godly living influenced neighboring saints to also be trophies of God’s grace (1:6-9).
As members of the Church the Body of Christ, one day we will stand before “the judgment seat of Christ” (Romans 14:10-12). At this special event, the Lord Jesus Christ will reward us according to the sound doctrine we built up in our inner man and what good works that sound doctrine accomplished in and through us (1 Corinthians 3:9-15; 2 Corinthians 5:9,10).
In that day, the Thessalonians will be Paul’s “hope, joy, and crown of rejoicing.” Paul also referred to the Philippians as “my joy and crown” (4:1). He even wrote concerning the carnal, immature Corinthians: “As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus” (2 Corinthians 1:14).
We too will be Paul’s hope, joy, and crown of rejoicing because we are the fruit of his ministry. Likewise, the people we minister to will be our hope, joy, and crown of rejoicing. Everyone we teach and everyone we lead to the Lord, they are our hope, joy, and crown of rejoicing!
When we see those saints, our spiritual fruit, stand before Jesus Christ, we too will be exceedingly joyful. What a day it will be to see them all in those glorious moments after the rapture! To the praise and glory of God, we as members of the Church the Body will all rejoice.
Saints, anticipate that day when we will see “our hope, joy, and crown of rejoicing!”
333 Words of Grace 