Athletes from around the world compete for medals of gold, silver, and bronze. To win even the third-place medal is a phenomenal achievement, for sure. The greatest reward by far, however, is not one that we earn by our hard work and exertion or by our ingenuity and persistence. It was earned for us.

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved — and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:4-10, ESV)

There is a crown of life that awaits all who finish life’s race and fall into the arms of Jesus. We have not earned that crown nor is it even deserved. It was earned for us through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. It was paid for with His blood. It is a gift to be received in faith.

If you are watching the Olympics from Paris, due to the difference in time what you see on television is a replay of something that happened earlier in the day. You may sit on the edge of your seat as a swimmer strides through the pool neck and neck with their competitor, or a gymnast springs into the air attempting a pinpoint landing on the mat, but the competition is already complete. The victory has already been won.

My brothers and sisters, as you run this race of life stretching out toward that finish line, know that the victory is secure. Jesus has won, and because He has won, you share in that victory. You may never win a trophy or receive any earthly rewards, but a victor’s crown awaits you, and you will receive it from the Savior who won that victory for you!