*DOMINION MANDATE DAILY DEVOTIONAL*
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2020
*THE CROWN OF LIFE (MARTYR'S CROWN)*
*BIBLE READING: REVELATION 2:10; ACTS 7:54-8:3*
*Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. James 1:12 (KJV).*
The Crown of Life or Martyr’s Crown is for believers who go through persecutions and various forms of trials for the sake of Christ and His kingdom. These are people that love Jesus so much and are ready to pay any price. People may have mocked them and done all sorts of things to them but they take it in all joy. There are hazardous things people have gone through for the furtherance of the gospel, every single one of them is not going to go unrewarded.
In Revelation, Jesus told one of the churches about the tough and harsh things they were going to suffer for the sake of the gospel. Revelation 2:10(KJV); *"Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life."*
The Bible recorded an incident where the apostles of Jesus were being flogged for the sake of the gospel and then something unusual happened. *“…They called in the apostles and had them flogged. Then they ordered them never again to speak in the name of Jesus, and they let them go. The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus." Acts 5:40-41 (NLT).* They saw suffering for Christ as a privilege because they are aiming for one of the highest crowns in heaven.
Matthew 5:11-12 (KJV); *"Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you."*
Part of the reward that Jesus promised the people being persecuted for the sake of the gospel is that they will obtain a better resurrection. *Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: Hebrews 11:35 (KJV).*
Those people that pay the ultimate price for the gospel will have a rich welcome into God’s kingdom. Do something tangible for God with your life. *"For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it." Mark 8:35(KJV).*
God’s standard is universal. Whenever you teach people about God’s commandments, never lower God’s standards. Let everyone know God’s standards (children, teenagers, new believers, etc.) and they will adjust their lives to it. If you have never suffered any persecution for the gospel, make sure you aim for the other four crowns: the crown of righteousness, the crown of rejoicing, the crown of glory and the imperishable crown.
*PRAYER
Lord, thank You for the privilege to live for You and the promise of a crown. Whether I live or die for the sake of your word, Lord, give me the grace to do so with faithfulness. Amen.
