Among the rewards for winning the Tour de France or The Masters, are coveted articles of clothing – the yellow jersey and the green jacket.
Cyclists and golfers invest enormous time, money and effort into winning these prizes. Dallas Cowboy, Duane Thomas, put winning in perspective after Super Bowl VI. When asked what it was like to win the “ultimate” game, he said, “If it’s the ultimate [game], how come they’re playing it again next year?” Duane was right, earthly rewards eventually lose their impact.
Man’s accolades will give way to God’s eternal approval. There are two eternal rewards that deserve our time, money and effort and both are symbolic articles of clothing. The first is free:
1) Get a free white robe as soon as you enter heaven*. This white robe symbolizes the complete removal of our sin. We can be forgiven only through faith in the work of the Lamb, Jesus Christ. Through His sacrificial death on the cross He paid the penalty for our sin. So accept and receive Him as your personal Savior, and He will cleanse you, and gladly welcome you into heaven.
Revelation 7:9-10 – After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”
2) Get the crown of life for faithfully enduring suffering for the sake of Jesus Christ. During tough times, it is easy to drift away from God. We lose interest because He seems distant or powerless to change our circumstances. Our disillusionment can even cause us to sin. Our trials can lead us to a deeper relationship with Him and He will reward us for remaining faithful.
James 1:12 – “Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”
Hang in there if you are suffering – it will all make perfect sense when the crown is placed on your head. If you haven’t picked up your free white robe, what in this world are you waiting for?
*Click here for more info on how to get to heaven.
Scripture quotations taken from the NASB(c).
