As believers and disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, one of the most important aspects of our inheritance is eternal life in heaven. Tragically, the subject of our heavenly destination has lost its rightful place in much of today's preaching and teaching in the Body of Christ. As the return of the Lord nears, it is imperative that we turn our attention back to this important subject.
HEAVEN - why should we want to go there? are we excited by the prospect?
Why do many Christians today have a sadly feeble concept of what Paul calls 'our glorious hope'? Why are we not living with eternity in view?
1) The spirit of religion causes us to be more preoccupied with our human struggles than with our intimate friendship with the Lord Jesus. It causes us to be so focused on this earthly life and its daily-ness, that we cannot focus on Him, on His Word and on the incomparable future which follows this earthly existence of ours.
2) Without a clear perception of where we are going, we lose our sense of purpose and the motivation to turn the opportunities that daily life presents to us into stepping stones of holiness. Thus we miss many precious opportunities to "store up treasure in heaven".
3) We fall into the trap of loving this world and things in it, which clouds our perception of the glory that is to come. John warns us against this in his first epistle. 'Don't love the world's way. Don't love the world's goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father. Practically everything that goes on in the world - wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important - has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from Him. The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out - but whoever does what God wants is set for eternity.' I John 2:15-17
The Message Bible
Jesus consistently used language that pointed to eternity. To have seen Him when He walked the earth was to catch a glimpse of heaven itself. He revealed to us a Father who waits for us with eager anticipation and He let us know that what we do on earth directly relates to our future role in heavenly places.
While the grace for salvation is free, building a storehouse of treasures in heaven will cost us everything, every day, all day long. Let us then - like Paul - 'run the race with endurance, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our Faith.'
Run to win! Heaven is real! The Lord is waiting to welcome us home!