The Hope of Heaven
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March 13, 2011 |
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 "Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth." (Colossians 3:2)
We will be rewarded with eternal dwelling places and blessings in Heaven to the same extent we live by the Word of God, resemble the Lord, and work faithfully for God's kingdom. That's why those who have faith do not seek vain things which will become corrupt and disappear, but set their minds on the things above and run with the hope for New Jerusalem. What kind of life do we have to lead if we have the hope for Heaven?
First of all, those who have the hope of Heaven do not live a life of falsehood.
Not everybody who seems to be leading an enthusiastic life in faith really has the hope for Heaven. There are people who cheat God, the Lord, and the Holy Spirit, and even themselves. Of course, nobody can cheat the Almighty God.
Here, to cheat means they don't change their hearts by the truth but they just pretend to be practicing the will of God in hypocrisy. In most cases, however, they not only nicely and effectively cover for themselves, but they also deceive and cheat themselves.
They don't circumcise their hearts. They make a pretense of living by the Word of God, having reverence for God, and having great faith and faithfulness. They have to check whether they shun worldly things because they really put their hope in Heaven, or because they want to earn the recognition of others.
This was the case with the Pharisees and the priests at the time of Jesus. They didn't circumcise their hearts because they did not understand God's true will. They just keep God's commandments outwardly to show themselves off. They even had deluded themselves into thinking that it was the deeds themselves that were seen as faith by God. However, God, who searches each one's heart, does not desire the outward deeds that are revealed before men; He wants the righteousness cultivated in our hearts.
If we really put our hope in Heaven and love God, we will produce true fruits. For example, if you really love God, you will love your brothers, too. You will constantly have consideration for others as you interact with other people. You will rejoice when others are doing well. Even when others' faults are revealed, you will try to cover for that person. You will try to have consideration for the viewpoints and hearts of others. In other words, if you really love God, you will bear the fruit of loving your brothers as you love yourself.
In addition, those who put their hope in Heaven come to worship and prayer services because they feel joy and happiness when they are in communion with God. They also change their hearts and bear the fruit of true righteousness through those times. They don't just work to the extent to be noticed by others or just do that which has been given to them, but they fulfill their duties completely.
Those who have the hope of Heaven, secondly, will improve themselves and consider their duty precious.
As you accomplish your duties over a long period of time, you become accustomed to it. But the problem is, when people become accustomed to their work, there are some people who begin do it as a matter of habit without making any improvements. This may even continue for 10 to 20 years or more. Or, they just do the same work they have been doing for so many years.
You should not be at ease because you are confident about your work, but you have to have constant improvement receiving wisdom through prayer. Also, if you become accustomed to a certain work, you can expand and fulfill more duties to the extent your time and abilities allow. You have to dedicate yourself continually thinking about what you can do for the kingdom of God. You also have to improve your abilities and skills even to match the experts in the world. By doing so, you can extend God's kingdom and receive rewards in Heaven through your faithfulness.
Of course, it does not mean that the physical skills are so important that you neglect the spiritual development. Even though they received the best education and talents, those who commit sins have nothing to do with God. Those who do not pray and those who break peace cannot be used for God's kingdom. Those who have hope of Heaven not just live by the Word of God, but can receive the guidance of the Holy Spirit to improve their physical skills. You have to become more skillful workers as you try your best and receive wisdom and understanding from above.
Those who put their hope in Heaven, thirdly, should long for spiritual things.
How happy and joyful were you as you began to experience the spiritual realm when you came to church for the first time? You cried out in prayer in the sanctuary whenever you had time, and you listened to audio recordings of the sermons for hours and hours. When you received a little duty in the church, you were thankful from the heart and made up your mind to fulfill your precious duty properly. You gathered in the church even after you finished work, and you knelt before God to pray as much as possible. And yet, you did not say it was hard or tiring, but you were happy that you could do works of God. This is because you longed for spiritual things and the hope of Heaven overflowed in your heart.
Additionally, in order to fulfill your duties you must long for spiritual things. What happens when you lose your first love and your zeal cools down? You just try to do as little work as possible, and you don't want to do more difficult work that requires more time and effort. You try to avoid responsibility or something that may be cumbersome in an effort to have as much personal time as possible. These show that you do not long for rewards in Heaven and spiritual things. Considering this fact, if you received God-given duties, how much more time and effort should you put in to fulfilling them?
If you really consider your duties precious and have spiritual eagerness, you must also understand the will of God and try to obey it. You must be taught what you have to do and what vision you should harbor. I pray in the name of the Lord that, in doing so, you will enjoy praises and honor in Heaven.
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