Being Crowned
We must strive for the incorruptible reward and labour hard to be crowned, lest we face eternal punishment.
Clement of Rome urges believers to strive earnestly in the incorruptible race of faith, emphasizing the need for diligence and perseverance to receive the crown of glory. He compares this spiritual race to a physical contest where only those who have labored hard and striven gloriously will be crowned. Clement encourages believers to run the straight course, reminding them that those who act unfairly in this contest will face severe consequences. He warns of the eternal consequences for those who do not preserve their faith, quoting scriptures about the unquenchable fire and eternal punishment.
Text
Wherefore, then, my brethren, let us struggle with all earnestness, knowing that the contest is [in our case] close at hand, and that many undertake long voyages to strive for a corruptible reward; yet all are not crowned, but those only that have laboured hard and striven gloriously. Let us therefore so strive, that we may all be crowned. Let us run the straight course, even the race that is incorruptible; and let us in great numbers set out for it, and strive that we may be crowned. And should we not all be able to obtain the crown, let us at least come near to it.
We must remember that he who strives in the corruptible contest, if he be found acting unfairly, is taken away and scourged, and cast forth from the lists. What then think ye?
If one does anything unseemly in the incorruptible contest, what shall he have to bear? For of those who do not preserve the seal, says, Their worm shall not die, and their fire shall not be quenched, and they shall be a spectacle to all flesh.
Sermon Outline
- The Importance of Striving for the Crown
- The Incorruptible Contest
- The Consequences of Failure
- Those who act unfairly in the corruptible contest are punished
- Those who do not preserve the seal in the incorruptible contest face eternal punishment
Key Quotes
“Let us therefore so strive, that we may all be crowned.” — Clement of Rome
“Their worm shall not die, and their fire shall not be quenched, and they shall be a spectacle to all flesh.” — Clement of Rome
Application Points
- We must strive to labour hard and strive gloriously in our spiritual journey.
- We must run the straight course and avoid acting unfairly in our pursuit of God.
- We must preserve the seal of God and avoid eternal punishment.