Though this question gets at the heart of our motivation, the second part of this question reveals a misconception we have about what heaven is all about. When we see God as the means to an end and not the end Himself, we run the risk of putting the proverbial cart before the horse. If this happens we miss out on what it truly means to be a Christian. Christianity is more than just knowing that I get to go to heaven when I die. It means that I get to be with God and see all that he intends heaven to be. In that respect, living graciously allows us to live out eternity, and extend the real everlasting life, both now and when its fullest realization occurs at Christ's return.
This doesn't mean that we strip away heaven from the equation and seek a heaven on earth through social justice alone, but rather it means we live a new life in God's kingdom, now, that should make a difference in the world, all the while pointing to the ultimate reality that is yet to come. When this is done, both salvation and world changing ethics exist together to make a lasting difference that not only reveals who God is and how He wants to save humankind but how he calls his church to do something that combats the evil in the world--Grace accepted and then reflected.
My challenge to you is to think about how you view BEING a Christian and what real difference that should be making in the world. How does your view of this world, heaven, and God shape the way you live out your faith? Is God a means to an end, or are you delighted that as the end Himself, he is able to extend all the other aspects of "heaven" to us that we might delight and continually serve him-- regardless of whether this means in this present reality or the real reality to come?
Posted by Todd Jefferson
4 comments:
This is really interesting Todd- Good stuff. I think with me my relationship with God and the way I live my life is because of my desire to go to heaven. If there was not a hell I don't think I would be as motivated at all.
I also think hell is something Christians really need to think more about. I think if Christians really believe there is a hell they would be witnessing more. Hell is a reality a lot of Christians have not thought a lot about.
As Stephen Curtis Chapman said so eloquently, "No better place on earth than the road that leads to heaven."
I applaud that ideal and feel that's exactly where I live. By living under God's grace and mercy, the joys are multiplied and the sorrows are divided. If I miss anything in this life, it's the hard side of life - consequences of some sinful choice, baggage, guilt, etc. I am also experiencing this as a direct the result of having godly parents who have left a legacy of God's blessing to me.
When I was a kid, I had a Sunday School teacher say, "Let's say there is no heaven at the end of life. If you've lived as a Christian, you have lost absolutely nothing. But if there is a heaven at the end of life and you've lived as if there were no heaven, you have lost everything."
Grace....undeserved gift...ok I get that much, I'm a little confused about sins. Yeah, that's news I'm sure. But here's the thing. "He who commits one sin commits them all." What's that mean in todays society? I know that we have different penalties for different crimes here, but what should we expect from God? There are some things that we all do that we know is wrong and we try to truly repent but end up doing the same thing. What if we are constantly under satans attack and feel there's no way out and Gods grace we understand but don't truly know...can you recommend a good book on Grace/Sin/Repentance? Perhaps a commentary really digging in the Word?
As far as recommendations go I would suggest--"What's so amazing about grace?" by Philip Yancey. I would also suggest reading and then re-reading the books of Romans and Galatians in the bible. Both of these deal with the subject of grace and the work of Christ to rid the person of sin and its sickness. From there it is important to stay attached to a family of believers who can help with the re-occurring struggles through discipleship and accountability.
At the same time, especially in Romans, there is the question of the role of government and how legality meets up with morality. Though these subjects at times seem to butt heads there is still the call to live legally and morally. That being said God can still work through the ruling authorities even though he will call them to account with regards to how they used the authority given to them.
I know much more could be said on both of these issues and welcome any further conversation you may want to have.
Posted by Todd Jefferson
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