The Christian’s Crown

Opening Up Romans—4

Exploring the riches of God’s grace, one passage at a time.

The New Testament often describes believers receiving a crown — a stephanos, the victor’s wreath. Jesus promised the church in Smyrna, “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Rev. 2:10). Near the end of his life, Paul wrote, “There is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord... will award to me on that day” (2 Tim. 4:8).

John Bunyan pictured this beautifully in The Pilgrim’s Progress, with a crown hanging above the head of a preacher—a reminder that heavenly glory awaits all who belong to Christ.

In Romans 1:6–7, Paul’s greeting to the church reveals what’s engraved on that crown: five titles that describe every Christian’s identity. 

A Portrait of a Minister from John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress

Belonging to Christ

First, our crown reads Belonging to Christ. Paul says the gospel is for “all those... who are called to belong to Jesus Christ” (v. 6). 

That phrase captures what it means to be human—created to live in communion with God, yet fallen away from Him. Through Christ, God calls us back to Himself. This is why the Heidelberg Catechism begins, “I am not my own, but belong to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ.”

We live in a world obsessed with connection—social media, instant messages, global networks—and yet we’re lonelier than ever. The church, then, is called to be a true family, a fellowship of belonging. When Jesus said, “Come, follow me,” He was inviting us into that belonging — into His life, His love, His body, the church.

Loved by God

Next, the crown says Loved by God: “To all those in Rome who are loved by God” (v. 7).

Everyone longs to love and be loved. From Shakespeare’s sonnets to Freddie Mercury’s cry, “Can anybody find me somebody to love?”—it’s a universal ache. And Paul answers it with gospel truth: you belong to Christ because God first loved you.

In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” (1 John 4:10)

God poured out His love on rebels — on us! As Martin Luther said, “His love is the beginning of all good things in us.”

Called to Be Saints

Third, our crown reads Called to Be Saints. Paul addresses believers as “holy ones.” This title once belonged to Israel, God’s treasured possession (Exodus 19:4–6), and now, in Christ, it describes the church: “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation” (1 Peter 2:9).

If God calls you holy, live like it. Not because you earned it—as Luther reminds us, we are saints “not on the basis of our merits, but on the basis of the love and call of God.”

Recipients of Grace and Peace

Finally, Paul blesses the Romans with “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (v. 7). These are the last two inscriptions: Recipient of Grace and Recipient of Peace.

Grace pardons our sin, clothes us in Christ’s righteousness, and welcomes us into God’s favor. Peace restores what sin shattered—our relationship with God. And just as we’ve received both, we’re called to be gracious and peaceful toward others.

Christian, Look Up

Live today with your eyes lifted toward that crown—not as a prize you’ve earned, but as a promise already secured by the grace of Jesus Christ:

You belong to Christ.

You are loved by God.

You are called to be saints.

You are a recipient of grace.

You are a recipient of peace.

That crown awaits you after every trial and tribulation. And one day, when you stand before the throne, you’ll cast it at His feet, saying:

Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power. (Rev. 4:10–11)