Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:8

     There is an old religious song (like most, full of the man centered, works salvation men love) that says, “If you're fighting, striving for the right, You shall wear a robe and crown.” But there will be no crown for any who seek a reward from God for their “striving” which is their “works.”

     Nevertheless, there is a crown waiting for the true people of God at Christ’s appearing. These who love his appearing.  It is called in one place a “crown of glory.”

     What is “glory” and what is it to be “glorified?” It is simply the manifestation of who one is and how he came to be that way. Christ prayed to the Father for Him to glorify Him. He could not have been asking for Him to make Him better or perfect, He was already that! Christ is glorified when it is made manifest Who He is and why He is such.

     It is the same with God’s elect. When they are glorified at Christ’s appearing, it will be clear to all who they are and how they came to be accepted, approved and blessed by God in Christ. The visible crown they will wear in that day is already theirs! It is ”laid up” in heaven. It is a “crown of righteousness.”

     How could a sinner ever wear a crown of righteousness? Because God has given them “the gift of righteousness” in “Jesus Christ the Righteous!” They are one with Him before God. God has imputed to them the righteousness of Christ which is the righteousness of God! This is the only righteousness and righteousness has to do with justice. Thus, because Christ has satisfied God’s offended justice on our behalf, bearing our sins in His own body which the Lord had “laid on him,” Christ as the “righteous Judge” will approve of their righteousness because it is HIS!

“every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.” (Isaiah 54:17)

     Christ is the Lord our Righteousness and that shall be displayed gloriously in that day. This crown is also a “crown of life.” By grace we shall endure to the end to receive it. It will be clear that because God has put on us the “robe” of righteousness. He is just to give us eternal life and all it’s blessings,. All the righteous in Christ will wear a crown but not for their works of righteousness!