“Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold 1fast what you have, that NO ONE MAY TAKE YOUR CROWN. He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God…” (Rev 3:11-12) 1krateō: to use strength to seize or retain.
“…it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly 2contend for the faith…” (Jude 1:3) 2epagōnizomaito: struggle for.
“I have fought [to struggle, to contend with an adversary] a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 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 Tim. 4:7-8)
“Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” (1 Corin. 9:25) Crown: the eternal blessedness which will be given as a prize to the servants of Jesus Christ: the crown (wreath) which is the reward of the righteousness of the saints.
We have a battle on our hands! Do we have any kind of guarantee the we will be victorious? “…He gives more grace. Wherefore He says, God resists the proud, but gives grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. DRAW NEAR TO GOD, AND HE WILL DRAW NEAR TO YOU…” (James 4:6-8)
Is grace a weapon? “… my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, 3WORK OUT YOUR OWN SALVATION WITH FEAR AND TREMBLING; for IT IS GOD WHO WORKS IN YOU both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” (Phil. 2:12-13) 3energeo: to be active, to be mighty in.
“…by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but THE GRACE OF GOD WHICH WAS WITH ME.” (1 Corin. 15:10)
It is God’s grace that gives us the desire (to will) and the power (to do) to do His will. It is His pleasure. We are and were created for His pleasure. (Rev 4:11) “At His right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalms 16:11) “…Your right hand shall hold me. “ (Psalms 139:10)
JUST THINK WILL; IT IS GOD’S PLEASURE TO HOLD US IN HIS HAND.
-Bill Stockham