The Christian Race and Heavenly Rewards

The Christian Race and Various Heavenly Rewards

This post on the Christian race and heavenly rewards is written to encourage Christians to persevere because there are both earthly and heavenly rewards associated with it.

Anyone who has ever been a child, had a child, or related with a child undoubtedly understands the concept of reward giving.

Which child doesn’t like receiving a candy bar or 2 as a reward for good behavior or performing a task? I know I loved receiving rewards as a kid and my children do too. In fact, it was the aspect of receiving rewards that first solidified my love for Christmas, ha-ha!

As we all know, Christmas is a time of giving and receiving gifts from family and loved ones.

Those days, my mama would ask me to take food to our neighbors. And they, in turn, would press money into my hands as a token of their appreciation for the food. At the end of the Christmas season, I would count my monetary rewards and plan how to utilize it. And I would also make a mental note of which neighbor was “stingy” and which was “generous”.

The following year, I would avoid being sent to give food to the stingy neighbors (lol!). Why? Because in my child mind, there was no reward attached to making the trip to those neighbors. And I wanted to use my time well, by making sure the generous neighbors got served first.

I’d like to believe that’s how the mind of the natural man works. We do better at tasks that have rewards associated with them.

God the creator of all living things knows this as well and has several rewards in heaven earmarked for us.

That is why I wanted to take some time to write about the Christian race and the heavenly rewards associated with it.

God the creator of all knows that we humans love being rewarded. He has packaged multiple rewards for the Christian who finishes well. Read on to know more. #christianrace #heavenlyreward Click To Tweet

Becoming a Christian

For the avoidance of doubt, the Christian referred to in this post is the one who has accepted the lordship of Jesus Christ.

As the scripture says, all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23 (ESV)

The only way to receive God’s mercy and forgiveness is to accept Jesus Christ as Lord. The process is as stated in the bible passage below.

⁹ because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. Romans 10:9-10 (ESV)

To know more, read the post on how to become a Christian.

What is the Christian Race?

1. The Christian race is a heavenly race

The Christian race is a heavenly race engaged in by everyone wanting to make heaven.

It is established from scriptures that we are in a race, for example;

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us Hebrews 12:1 (ESV)

In the above bible verse, we are enjoined to lay aside every weight and run the Christian race with endurance.

Similarly, the apostle Paul in his letter to the Corinthian church had this to say;

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So, run that you may obtain it. 1 Corinthians 9:24 (ESV)

The above scripture is yet another indicator of the fact that Christians are in a race.

2. The Christian Race is NOT a Competition

Unlike the earthly race where participants compete against themselves, the Christian race is different. It is not a competition and we can all be winners.

9 For we are God’s fellow workers… 1 Corinthians 3:9 (ESV)

Everyone will receive their reward according to their labor. 1 Corinthians 3:8 (ESV)

3. The Christian Race Attracts Heavenly Rewards

As earlier established, God has not called us to serve Him in vain and there are rewards for us in heaven.

That is why scriptures say in Revelation 22:12-13

“Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. ¹³ I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” (ESV)

That’s not the only scripture where God spoke of giving rewards to Christians in heaven. All through the bible, there are promises of God rewarding the Christian that finishes the race. Another example is below.

¹³ each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. ¹⁴ If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 1 Corinthians 3:13-14 (ESV)

The Ultimate Reward in Heaven for Winning the Christian Race

The ultimate reward for winning the Christian race is that we will make heaven and be with Jesus in paradise. Jesus Himself said;

2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. John 14:2 – 3 (NKJV)

According to the above bible passage, Jesus is coming back to receive the saints to Himself. And they will have a place in the numerous mansions in heaven.

I say saints because not everyone will inherit God’s kingdom, the category of people listed below will not make heaven.

⁸ But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” Revelation 21:8 (ESV)

The good news is, if there is life, anyone can change the course of their destiny. By believing and receiving Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour.

There are Heavenly Crowns Available as Rewards for Winning the Christian Race

According to the scriptures, there are different types of crowns available for Christians who win the race.

Types of Heavenly Crowns – Rewards of Christian Race

Incorruptible Crown

The incorruptible crown is one of the rewards available for all those who win the Christian race. It is for those who persevere and exercise self-discipline.

²⁵ Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. ²⁶ So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. ²⁷ But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9:25 – 27 (ESV)

In the above bible passage, we see Apostle Paul talking about the certainty of us receiving a crown. And at the same time, putting out a word of caution that we must discipline ourselves.

Crown of Righteousness

The crown of righteousness will be given as a reward to those who love the Lord’s appearing.

⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8 (ESV)

Crown of Life

The crown of life will be given as a reward for all those who stand firm to the end during the fiery trial.

¹² Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12 (ESV)

Crown of Glory

Crown of glory is a reward meant for those who willingly feed God’s flock.

² shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; ³ not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. ⁴ And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 1 Peter 5:2-4 (ESV)

Crown of Rejoicing

The crown of rejoicing is a reward for those who win souls for Christ.

¹⁹ 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? 1 Thessalonians 2:19 (KJV)

Christian Race, Heavenly Rewards and Encouragement to March On

In this post, we have examined the Christian race, what it is and some of the rewards that are available.

We saw that the Christian race is chiefly about believers making heaven and it is not a competition. There can be multiple winners and the criteria for winning and receiving the rewards is as highlighted in the Bible.

Similarly, we’ve seen that winning the race attracts heavenly rewards including different types of crowns. There are other types of rewards mentioned in the bible that time did not permit us to touch in this post.

Rewards such as the hidden manna and the white stone with a new name on it. Revelation 2:17

Also, we only touched on heavenly rewards in this post but there are innumerable earthly rewards as well. I hope with this post, you have been encouraged that your effort in the Christian race will not go unrewarded.

If you have been blessed by this post, make sure to leave a comment so that I can be encouraged too and share this post on your social media accounts.

There are Heavenly Rewards for Winning the Christian Race. The Ultimate Reward is that we will make heaven and be with Jesus in paradise. #heavenlyrewards #christianrace Click To Tweet

Till next time, remember you are a Royal Diadem, Beautiful in God’s Hands.