If the love of God is not present in the believer's heart, trials can make them bitter and critical, leading to the loss of the crown of life. All believers have eternal life (John 3:15-16), but not all will be rewarded with the crown of life. While all believers have the gift of eternal life through faith in Jesus, not all may receive the crown of life, which is a reward for faithful living and perseverance in the Christian journey.