The Christian's crown

There is scarcely a more striking evidence to be found of the corrupt and perverted state of the human heart than that which is furnished in the views which commonly prevail of the distinctive features of the Christian religion. The pageantry and pomp of a false religion it will admire and approbate; but the spirit of the true it has ever contemned and repelled as a spirit of weakness, fanaticism, or bigotry. The spirit which it so characterises and so contemns is what God in our text styles "a crown of glory and a diadem of beauty" to His people. The crown and the diadem are, in the eyes of the world, objects of great beauty and value. They are usually set with diamonds, and with the most brilliant and costly gems, and are worn not only as ornaments, but as the insignia of royal authority and power, Hence they are properly employed as emblems to represent that which God regards as the most precious and beauteous ornament of His people. He says He will be to them for a crown of glory and a diadem of beauty. By which He means, that He will impart to them by His grace that which shall render them more glorious in His view, and which shall be infinitely more dear and valuable to them than the most costly crown that ever monarchs wore. It is, then, the lustre of a spiritual crown, the glory of a heavenly diadem, that is to be so comely upon the people of God. But in what deep obscurity, at present, are these heirs of heavenly royalty! Would you not like to contemplate some of the characteristics of this heavenly crown, by which it is distinguished from all earthly crowns?

1. It is unfading and imperishable in its nature. The apostle calls it an incorruptible crown, and a crown of glory that fadeth not away. In the verses which precede the text the prophet opposes this crown to the blasted and fading glory which appertains to the possessions of the wicked (ver. 1). Who is there that sees not the vanity and inconstancy of all worldly glory? But it is not so with the glory that has been given to the saints. This is substantial and immortal. "The Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory."

2. This crown will be worn without care or peril. The crowns of earthly princes are set with thorns. But not only will it be worn without care or peril, it will have. the power to satisfy every want of its possessor.

3. This is a "crown of righteousness," rightfully obtained and right, ally possessed, — indicative, on the part of the Giver, of His own perfect righteousness, and expressive of His approbation of that righteousness in which our Lord Jesus Christ has arrayed His people. How different this from those crowns which earthly princes wear; often obtained by fraud and violence and saturated with blood, — emblems of injustice and tyranny, and frequently held by power, without right!

4. It is a "crown of life" (Revelation 2:10). It is so called for two reasons. One is, that death has no power over it; it cannot deprive us of it, neither can it in any way impart it. The other is, that it is the sure pledge of a perfect and immortal life. Life will be life in heaven, not that weak, imperfect, suffering, half-developed existence which we have here.Conclusion —

1. Have we not good reason to call upon all to strive to win this crown?

2. Can Christians understand the value of this crown, or its nature, or the mode of its procurement, and not feel that obligations the most solemn bind them to the love and service of their Redeemer?

(J. W. Adams.)