For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 2 Corinthians 5:10

Dear children, we learned last week that the reward for serving Christ can come in the form of a crown. The Bible speaks of five such crowns, and we have studied the Incorruptible Crown which is mentioned in 1 Corinthians 9:25. This crown is given to those who have run the Christian race faithfully till the end. In other words, they have lived a submissive life to the Word of God.

For this devotion, we will learn about the Crown of Rejoicing which is mentioned in 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20: “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.” This crown is given to those who faithfully bear witness for the Lord Jesus Christ. The believers in Thessalonica were Paul’s hope for a future reward. They were a proof of his faithfulness in bearing witness for the Lord Jesus Christ, and he would receive from Jesus the Crown of Rejoicing in heaven.

The Apostle Paul passed by the city of Thessalonica during his second missionary journey. In the city was a synagogue of the Jews, and Paul went there to bear witness for Jesus. He reasoned with the Jews that the Christ of the Scriptures is the Jesus he preached. Though not all the Jews believed Paul’s testimony of Jesus, some did! Many of the Greeks there also believed that Jesus is the Christ.

Those believing Jews and the Greeks began to associate themselves with Paul and his companion, Silas. As they met
regularly with Paul to learn more about Jesus, a church was formed in Thessalonica. Later on, Paul could say to them, “Ye are our glory and joy” because he and Silas bore witness to them, and led them to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Bearing witness for the Lord Jesus Christ is a desire to tell others about Him and this is not bound by age. Whether you are a child, teenager, youth or an adult, you can bear witness for Jesus. There are plenty of opportunities to bear witness for Him in your life.

Paul and Silas bore witness for the Lord Jesus Christ not only to the Thessalonians but to many others as well! They testified for the Lord everywhere they went and this they did all the days of their lives. They wanted everyone they met to know about Jesus. This is faithful witnessing, and they will receive the Crown of Rejoicing for it.

As a Christian, have you been witnessing for the Lord? If you have not, you will not receive the Crown of Rejoicing.

Every born-again Christian should have the desire to tell others about the Lord Jesus Christ, whether in word or in deed. Wherever you go, tell the people you meet about Jesus. You can also give them gospel tracts, or invite them to church that they may hear the Gospel and be saved. This is faithful witnessing, and it is a commitment to the Lord for life. May God help us to bear witness for Him faithfully, and receive the Crown of Rejoicing. Amen!