The Crown of Justice
The apostle Paul was a zealous man throughout his life. At first, he fought with all his might against the followers of Christ, until he was struck by a light from heaven, fell to the ground, and heard a voice: "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting" (Acts 9,5).
Paul then embarked on a new path with Jesus. It was like running a marathon until the end of his life to follow Jesus. He took the right steps and thereby set a valuable example for us.
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day: and not to me only, but also to all who have loved His appearing."2. Timothy 4,7-8).
His good fight after his conversion wasn't directed against people or superiors. It was a spiritual battle against temptations, doubts, trials, and sin. It was his daily struggle in the life of faith to not give up and to purposefully move forward with Jesus. Paul was firmly convinced that he would receive the crown of righteousness, which all who await Jesus' return and love him will receive.
Some of us have passed our prime and are now running the marathon in the autumn of our lives. They have decided to follow Jesus wherever he leads us. They are ready to use the faith of Jesus in such a way that they have nothing to fear. They live firmly anchored in faith, looking at the clock of their lives and always to Jesus, the living Savior. He stands by all people, leaves no one alone, and offers everyone his compassion.
In such circumstances, these words should comfort us: "The tests to which your faith has been put so far have not gone beyond what is usual. But God is faithful and will not allow the test to be beyond your strength. When he tests you, he also ensures that you can stand it."1. Corinthians 10,13 Good News Bible).
Paul experienced difficult trials, and I am convinced that this applies to us as well. But he looked back on his life with deep peace and encourages us to do the same. There is nothing to sugarcoat: He was imprisoned, beaten with rods, stoned, suffered shipwreck, was in danger from robbers, in the desert, among false brothers, in hunger and thirst, in cold and nakedness. Moreover, he bore the burden of all that the church of God suffered and everything else that befell him (2. Corinthians 11,24-28).
When we look at our daily lives, these are things we have experienced ourselves or at least heard about. Yet we do not give up, but look with confidence to our reward: eternal life, the crown of righteousness that the righteous God has in store for us.
Toni Püntener
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