If we go to heaven when we die and there meet the Lord and instantly become like him why the fuss and struggle to be transformed now? Isn't that what most people think that we'll get there and then *snap*, we've arrived?
Well what if it's not like that? What if when we die we are FOREVER fixed as the kind of person we were at death. What if it seals our character's possibilites for eternity?
Every Christian has the inner capacity to love the Lord and be loved by Himand to interact with him. In a way taht's what it means to be a Christian. However, the Bible also talks about and urges us to be changed into the image of Jesus while we're alive on the earth. This increases our ability to interact with God and his kingdom. There are some alive that know God and his company in a more rich and meaningful way. When they die won't they be able to "hold more" so to speak?
Everyone who believes will get there and be blissfully happy, but the appetite of some will be greater baseed on how they'v lived their life.
That's the incentive for going for it now, is that it all transfers. We will be rewarded for our work here. There's continuity from this age into the next. We will still be us and the world will still be the world. There won't be a 100 foot Jesus returning with a magic snappy finger to cast a spell. We're in this thing for the long haul.
What do you think? The only thing that pops into mind as I write that might be argued is the parable about the vineyard workers. One group started working early morning and workers were added all day and at the end of the day those who worked all day got the same pay as those who only worked an hour. Jesus said this to reveal offense at his generosity.
Come on, I know you're reading this, let me know what you think.
3 comments:
i think that things are not based on works. that is why james was highly controversial when placed in the canon. so... lets see. i agree with the idea not by works but by grace. but lets think. does works play any role at all. well yes. but no. i think works are there to show your faith. faith without works is dead right. i mean yes i believe the shoot will open but unless i jump out of the plane... is that faith real. but no i dont think works make you any better than others.
now also... you mentioned... not becoming perfect when finally being able to look at the lord and his glory in the new world. i think that is wrong. we take on our new bodies. and the lord will make us like him. that is truth.
This is so much... in one blog...
But you are right... "What we do now echos in eternity" Oh wait that is not scripture but it is still true and there is scripture to prove. I think the appetite analogy is really good. Another one is that some will have a "larger hard drive"
Okay, Hold on... here comes the long string of thoughts...
Sarah, richard isn't talking about intitial salvation... intitial salvation is free... there is more than intitial salvation or missing hell and getting into heaven. No works for the intitial gift of salvation... it is free for the asking and believing.
Mattwew 19:27-30 -Peter ask a question about what he will get for all his "giving up of stuff" (basically your same question, richard):
Peter answered him, "We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?"
Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
29And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. 30But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.
1. Peter's question is not throw out by Jesus... he didn't say "get behind me satan for thinking selfishly of what you are going to get". No, Jesus validates his question with an anwer giving him hope... something to look foward to.
2. Following and giving up things for Jesus is a "work" even though we are given "grace" it still requires action on our part. The amount to which we leave "houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life" (which is basically saying how we obey) for his name sake" or "follow" is the amount that is multiplied by 100. It is the sowing and reaping principle. If I sow more into eternity than someone else I will reap more. If I store more treasure in heaven than someone else I will have more stored. It is for real right?
3. There are first and last in heaven... there are more and less and degrees. Yes, every one is happy but there is reaping and sowing, rewards based on how we responded in truth, love and obedience.
Daniel 12:2-3
2 Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.
1. This first describes just believer in Jesus vs non believer in Jesus. vs 3 describes a category of believers called the "wise". Paul gives more on this verse teaching of the ressurection of the dead in christ in 1 Corinthians 15:40..."There are also heavenly bodies and there are earthly bodies; but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is another. 41The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor.
1. there is a difference between are body now (earthly) and then (heavenly) each having their own kind of splendor. In the heavenly category there is a differnce between a sun, a star, and each star (though they are all stars... or all saved humans...) they still differ in brightness.
whew... I need a breath... it is 12:35pm and the goats are at the back door... why do have them again?
There are many more but just one other verse for now:
John 15:6-8,16:
"If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear fruit...I appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain...
Point: Our fruit remains... for real.
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