I mistakenly read “Believers of the Week” scrolling across the television while watching a baseball game when it actually said, “Relievers of the Week.” That started a bit of fanciful thinking about what a “Believer of the Week” award would look like.
While we aren’t vying for a “Believer of the Week” award, we are promised five different crowns in the New Testament. The first is the Imperishable Crown.
“You know that only one person gets a crown for being in a race even if many people run. You must run so you will win the crown. Everyone who runs in a race does many things so his body will be strong. He does it to get a crown that will soon be worth nothing, but we work for a crown that will last forever.” [1 Corinthians 9:24-15 NLT]
Paul compares our walk with the LORD to a race with a reward. I love watching Track and Field, especially during the Summer Olympics. Those who win receive a Gold Medal. In Paul’s day, race winners received a laurel crown (a wreath of leaves) … one that would soon wilt, dry up, and disappear.
Paul promises us a different crown, a crown that will “last forever.” It is called the “Imperishable Crown.” Everything around us now is subject to decay and will perish – but not our heavenly crown. We work for a crown that is eternal.
Peter described our heavenly reward as “an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for [us].” [1 Peter 1:4]