Simply Heaven Bound

Do you ever wonder about Heaven? Do you try to imagine it, or maybe you’re not sure if it actually exists? Maybe you’ve never really thought about it. I joyfully wonder about Heaven, with anticipation. I’m in no hurry for its mysteries to be revealed before me, but when they are, I know it will be glorious. I know its glories will far exceed even my dreamiest imaginings. I can’t wait to see angels…mighty, warrior angels. There was a time though, not too long ago, that thinking about Heaven stirred in me deep worry, insecurity, and fear. Not the kind of worry and fear that bubble to the surface, becoming something obvious and in need of addressing, but the kind that just finds a home deep within and looms. I suppose my fear wasn’t of Heaven, but the possibility of its absence from my life. I am so glad those fears and insecurities have been replaced with the peaceful assurance of being Heaven bound. How about you? What is stirred inside of you by the mention of Heaven?

I was chatting recently with a guy I know. I’ll call him “Bob”. I’d consider him a friendly acquaintance of our family. We don’t know him well, but we have built a friendship with Bob by seeing him on a regular basis over the last few years. We can talk about faith stuff, so I enjoy our conversations that regularly go beyond polite greetings and focus on eternal things. Bob works at a homeless shelter in Indianapolis, Indiana. Not too long ago he was a recipient of the shelter’s services and care. Bob lived on the streets for years, suffering from mental illness. He would only come into the shelter on the coldest of nights, and then quickly leave. Finally God must have softened his heart, because one day he stuck around. He received treatment, training, and best of all, the love of Jesus. He is now fully redeemed. I enjoy talking with Bob because I have so much respect for his journey and perspective. I guess that is why my last conversation with him triggered so much thought. We were discussing the recent passing of a gentleman who had also turned his life around with the help of this shelter. This man had received treatment for a drug addiction, as well as spiritual nourishment from the people and programs at the shelter. He gave his life to, and was kept by the Lord. So when Bob started telling me that he wasn’t sure if this gentleman was in Heaven, I was surprised. He implied that if he had fallen back into, or given himself over to drugs, that he had turned from God and was no longer His. Many thoughts and questions started popping up in my head. I wasn’t able to articulate all I was thinking, but my heart was very sad after hearing this, not as sad for the deceased as for my friend. For he has rebuilt his life on the solid rock of faith, and yet still believes the gift of salvation can slip away. I think many Christians live a life always weighing the possibility of losing their salvation. I find that so sad because Jesus came to free us from the exhausting and fruitless quest of trying to be “good enough”.

The problem with believing our salvation can hinge on something we “do” or “don’t do” is that our understanding of our need for Jesus’ sacrifice diminishes, just a tiny bit. But that tiny bit is huge. That tiny bit tips the scale from full dependence to partial dependence. It tips the scale from having a peace giving, gratitude inducing, assurance of Heaven, to having the fear of Hell lurking in the back of our minds. That fear then becomes the motivation for good works and obeying God’s law. Our motivation to live in obedience to His Word is to be born from love and gratitude, not obligation. When we reduce God’s grace to a reciprocal relationship that our worldly minds can wrap around, we deny the last words of Christ on the cross: “It is finished.”

If you confess with your mouth “Jesus is Lord”, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (ROM 10:9)

Love, love, love this verse. It brings salvation right to the doorstep of a heart that truly believes. All that is required to receive it is opening the door of your heart to His Grace. It is simple. It may not be easy, but it is simple. Confess Jesus is Lord. Admit your sin. Own from the inside of your belly the need for a Savior. Believe, truly believe, that the death and resurrection of Christ paid your debt. Allow the Holy Spirit, sent to dwell within you, to tune your heart with His, and He will make a life following the truth and righteousness of Jesus more of a hunger than a choice. And after all of this, understand that there is nothing you can do to earn His love, or the gift of eternity in His presence, other than putting your trust and faith in Christ. So please, all of those that truly believe, quit hoping for Heaven and receive its peace. Quit using God’s law as a ladder to reach Him and accept He is already with you. Quit going through the religious motions, thinking you are meriting His approval, and taste the grace He has already lavished upon you. Embrace your weaknesses, for through those there is room for His strength. Let your soul rest. Find the peace that comes from having an assurance of Heaven.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. (EPH 2:8)

This truth has slowly grown on me. I used to think salvation was not secured by faith in Christ, even after I was a Christian. I believed that myth that says suicide is unforgivable by God. It sounds so ridiculous now. Of course that’s not true. I know His heart completely breaks for His children that are hurting so badly that another hour seems too unbearable to face. He doesn’t let go of us for hurting. Believers who fall back into drug or alcohol addictions most certainly aren’t denied entrance through the pearly gates due to their transgressions. Our weakness is no surprise to God. He made us. I’m still stretched by some circumstances though, and I leave room for His mysteries and unmeasurable grace with those. I accept things I don’t fully understand or know as a part of His wonders. I know that if I allow myself to draw a line marking where God’s grace ends, I minimize His glory. I begin to shape His mercy and grace and love around my understanding, and that is a very slippery slope. God’s ways will always remain part mystery this side of Heaven, which I rejoice in. The space found in that mystery allows room for faith to grow, hope to live, and trust to be built.

errr, I didn't even spell the minister's name right. Sorry Dave. This is the only date I've written in my bible. Not that I'm great at recording things, but my baptism isn't in here, or my wedding day, or the birth of my children. This is the day I was one of "those people" who actually got up out of their seat, walked to the front of the church, and placed my faith in Christ. This is the most important date I have to record. When is your dependence day?