Years ago Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Namath guaranteed that his underdog New York Jets were going to beat the powerful Baltimore Colts in the Super Bowl … and wouldn’t you know … they did it! But since that time there have been many athletes and coaches who have guaranteed a win and it didn’t turn out that way. Why? Nothing on this planet is truly guaranteed. As a matter of fact, there are very few real guarantees in life. Even when you purchase something that is guaranteed, that doesn’t mean it’s going to work forever. It just means that when it breaks, the guarantor will fix or replace it.

God has an exceptional guarantee. What He gives us doesn’t ever need to be fixed or replaced because it lasts forever. The verse above calls it the “unfading crown of glory.” But what exactly is this guarantee?

During Bible times there were many athletic competitions, usually track-type events such as running, throwing, or jumping. The winners were given “a crown of glory” made of laurel leaves. It was like a trophy. But this crown always withered and faded. Peter is contrasting this crown with the unfading crown. The unfading crown is given to everybody who gives his or her life to Jesus Christ. This includes you if you have asked Jesus to become your Savior and Lord. You are then a permanent winner! You win the trophy! And your unfading crown is eternity with the chief Shepherd in heaven! Get the guarantee!