I like the sound of this crown, rejoicing! The word rejoice means to show great joy or delight! Synonyms of the word include happiness, pleasure, joy, delight, elation, jubilation, exuberance, and many others that describe uncontrollable feelings of joy that are bubbling over. I have felt this way many times. What causes these moments? Winning someone to the Lord that you have labored and prayed about for a period of time.
I 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.”
Paul had an earnest desire to see those he had led to the Lord in Thessalonica. Twice he had attempted to go to Thessalonica and twice he had been prevented by Satan’s plots and schemes. These Christians were very dear to Paul they were the source of his rejoicing before the Lord Jesus at his coming. Paul established this church during his second missionary journey accompanied by Silas, Timothy, and sometimes Luke. Paul is now in Corinth but sends Timothy back to check on them to make sure they are not being infiltrated by false teachers. This letter is in response to Timothy’s report.
From what Paul is saying in verses 19 and 20 the Thessalonian believers would be Paul’s crown of rejoicing in Heaven. They are bringing him great joy now, but they will be the basis for a reward in Heaven when he stands before Jesus.
Nothing has been more thrilling to me than to lead someone to Christ and watch them grow in the Lord. Any crowns or rewards we receive in Heaven will be laid at Jesus’ feet, but the glory of this reward is the fact these precious souls will be with us through all eternity. Their very presence will be an honor for us and a testimony to our faithful witness.
Soul winning should be at the heart of every believer, but not because there is a reward for it, but because we love those whom Christ died for, and can’t bear the thought of them going to hell. We all need to witness, but our motives need to be pure. They are not to be out of mere obligation, or for the accolades that some bestow on soul winners.
Paul makes it clear in I Thessalonians 2:4-8 that his motive for reaching out to them was because of his love for them. They did not seek the glory of any man they sought only to introduce them to Jesus the one who died for them.
I Thessalonians 2:4-8 “But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.”
Paul calls the Philippians his joy and crown, but he also calls them twice in one sentence his “dearly beloved.” The Philippians must have been extremely grateful for Paul’s leading them to Christ. They supported him and stayed in touch with him. They were true friends in the faith. They were his joy now and would be his crown later.
Philippians 4:1 “Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.”
If all those who name, the name of Christ was seeking to win others to Christ the kingdom of Heaven would be growing by leaps and bounds. I still remember the first person I witnessed to immediately after I accepted Christ as my Savior. Soon I had a new sister in Christ. God has granted me the privilege of leading many to Christ and discipling others and each one brings a smile to my face and a joy to my heart. I long to win others to Christ and pray he will give me opportunities where I am now. If you have never led anyone to Jesus, you have missed one of the greatest joys of being a Christian. Pray and ask God to bring people your way so that you can lead to him.
