Scripture
“Now there is in store 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 longed for his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:8 (NIV)

In the depths of our hearts, we all long for a sense of righteousness. We desire to live a life that aligns with goodness, truth and purity. Yet, when we look at our own actions, we find imperfections and shortcomings that mar our pursuit of righteousness. However, take heart, dear sister, for there is a promise of a great crown of righteousness awaiting those who place their faith in Christ.

This crown of righteousness is not a symbol of our own perfection, for none of us could ever attain that on our own. Instead, it is a representation of Christ’s righteousness within us. The One who is truly righteous before God is Christ Himself. He, in His perfect love, mercy and sacrifice, carried the weight of all unrighteousness on the Cross, offering us forgiveness and reconciliation with the Father.

Through faith in Jesus, we are clothed in His righteousness. It is not something we earn or achieve through our efforts, but a gift freely given by God’s grace. When the righteous Judge, our Lord, looks upon us, He sees the righteousness of Christ covering our lives. As a result, we are declared righteous in His sight. He is our crown of righteousness–Jesus Himself.

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