09/12/2020
Some see the beauty of the world that God created, but missing the fallen nature of man that inhabits it, and not possessing a belief in the creator Himself, they make it the sole focus of their lives. Unbelievers seek after creation rather than the creator, but as believers, and the children of God, we look to heaven and desire nothing more than God Himself. Though His creation is beautiful, awe inspiring, and amazing in every way, we worship God alone... seeing His hand in all things great and small.
“Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.”
Psalm 73:25 ESV
Even in man’s everyday life he values the product rather than the human creator himself. We have an old axiom that says that all great artists die broke, and for the most part this saying is true. Their work is often unappreciated in their lifetimes, and those lifetimes are often pitifully short, but once they are gone the focus turns to what they created, and it is revered... with single paintings selling for fortunes, or music being played around the world. Why is this so? It is because men are inherently selfish, and the possession of a painting, in the absence of the artist, makes he who possesses it the focus of that art. It is the same with natural beauty; if a man sees a beautiful pearl, he will sell all he has to possess it. We give up all we have to possess the treasures we long for most... even heaven, but In this case the difference is that as believers, we long to be in the presence of the creator who is there.
““Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.”
Matthew 13:45-46 ESV
So the question of the day becomes this... do you seek eternal life in heaven for yourself, or to spend eternity there worshipping God? Even more simply put... Do you serve God solely to possess Heaven for yourself?
I have heard entire sermons preached on accepting God, and Jesus Christ as One’s savior just as an insurance policy against death and damnation. The pastor would say things like “if you die and there is no heaven, then by professing Jesus as your Lord you are really no worse off, but if you die and find God, Jesus, and Heaven to be true, then you will live for eternity!” They are preaching a man centered religion, and half truths. God is the center of faith, and Jesus is not a reward. There is no way that we can work, or buy our way into heaven... we get there by faithfully loving God, and if we just say “I love you”, that doesn’t necessarily make it so.
“And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment.”
Matthew 22:37-38 ESV
Heaven is not for sale, and believing isn’t a contract of words alone. We must truly believe God is who He says He is, and that Jesus is His Son who lived, suffered, died, was resurrected, and ascended into heaven so that we would be forgiven our sins, and then we must go further... and love God with all we are. If we do this then obeying His commandments comes naturally, and knowing His will is second nature to us. If we love the Son like the Father we are transformed, and we find the scent of heaven, and presence of God, within us. Suddenly eternity is not simply important because we want to live forever, but because we long to worship God, who is the focus of our every desire, forevermore.
If we have written a legal contract, and called it faith then it is time to rip it up, and write a new commitment of belief and faith on our hearts. Above all else it should be a pledge of love, and not mention a purchase agreement for eternity, or the deed to a parcel of land in heaven. God has laid out His terms for us... are we prepared to love Him, and abide by them?
““For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16 ESV
“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6 ESV
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Matthew 6:33 ESV
“Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, “The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.””
Luke 17:20-21 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for creating me, and all the beauty that surrounds me. Thank you for loving me, and sending your Son Jesus to redeem me so that I might be forgiven my sins, and worship you forevermore. Thank you for sending Jesus, and revealing Him to be the Kingdom of God before us. You know my heart Lord, and thus you know what is written there... my pledge of love for you. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God who was and is, and is to come. Great are you for even your name is great in might. Loving are you who loves me, and in whom I abide now, and always, in love. Praised be your name for all eternity, and it is my greatest desire to stand with the heavenly host to worship you. Hear the song of my heart Father, and smell the incense of my prayers as I make known my love for you, and my desire to be in your presence always. Sing Oh my Heart before the throne of my God, and the seat of Jesus His Son.
“from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”
Ephesians 3:15-19 ESV
Rich Forbes