No Cross No Crown -By Gabriel Agbo

“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, in as much as you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” 1 Peter 4:12 (KJV) 

If you want a crown then carry the cross! One of the things that will make you a balanced Christian is the ability to always look beyond any trials to see God’s ultimate purpose for your life. As we already know, Christianity is not the absence of trials, but the determination to tenaciously hold unto God, even in the face of life-threatening situations, believing that they will ultimately usher us unto a greater level of glory and blessings. And this takes us to the message of the cross and the crown. The cross is a symbol of suffering, affliction, sorrow and sacrifice. While crown is a symbol of victory, royalty, completion, reward, success and perfection. Now, it is in God’s character to allow his children go through some difficult experiences that will help mould them into what he wants them to be. The bible already told us that we are like clay in the hands of the potter. The potter uses different instruments to get the clay to his desired products. Some are to beat the clay, some to sharpen it. While others are to smoothen and put it into shape, etc.

The clay also comes in contact with the fire and water, just to get out the final product that will serve the pleasure of the potter. And this is how we are in the hands of God. One of the instruments that God uses to mould us is the trial of faith. It can come as persecution, suffering, sacrifice, loss, lack, mockery, betrayal, denial, etc. However and whenever it comes, the most important thing is that God wants to work out something good in your life, and also bring out his glory. Please, I’m not saying here that all afflictions are trials of faith, No! We must always try to find out each time where our problem is coming from; whether it is of God or just on attack from the enemy. If it is an attack, you repel it. If it is your mistake, correct it. But, if it is God, there is not much anybody can do about it. You just have to ask him for the grace to walk through it. You ask him for the grace to learn what he wants to teach you through the trial. This is very important because any counter prayer in the later circumstance (trial period) will always amount to nothing, until God finishes his work on you.