. . . is that the LORD is glorified no matter how it works out, crownwise. If someone has taken the spiritual gifts received at their new birth and done wonderful things with them, so they have many crowns to cast at His feet, He is glorified...such a one is a triumphant display of His ability to change lives through sanctification.

If someone has let their spiritual gifts languish, and arrive "as one escaping the flames" (or however Paul phrased it), so they've no crowns to cast, the LORD is still glorified...such a one is a triumphant display of His complete, unmerited mercy.

[sighing] It'd sure be nice to have at least one crown to cast, though. Wouldn't it be embarrassing to have nothing to show for all the years of redemption, and the spiritual gifts one has been given?

Anne