Paris Can Wait

The Bible tells us this life is not all there is. If the Scriptures are true, there is a resurrection from the dead, whereby people are "glorified". We will be given new bodies which are not subject to decay, disease, and sin. Our thoughts about this glorification should have a significant impact on our lives now. According to 1 Corinthians 15, there is only one of two lives to live - a life that believes in the resurrection and a life that doesn't.

The resurrection is both spiritual and physical. Because the Lord has created both "realms" both are very important. Neither one is to be neglected. In other words, in eternity, we will probably not be floating around like ghosts; but will more than likely walk around as people (kind of like now but better).

Along with the resurrection comes the recreation. Our bodies will be new (1Cor 15), and so will the heavens and the earth (2Pet 3:11-13). The creation presently groans for this (Rom 8). It will be a creation without decay, disease, and the effects of sin. Revelation 21 gives ample descriptions of what the new heaven and earth will look like. I struggle with believing it will be that good.

The thought and reality of the new heavens and the new earth should also cause us to live differently. We should shape our lives around the fact that this world will one day not be like it is now. Holiness and godliness are a few words to describe how we should be as we long for the coming day of the Lord, when the transition will begin.

The new earth will be more real to us than the old one. There will be one day, in a million years or so, when we look back on this present "breath of life" and shake our heads. We will wonder why we loved it too much. We will wonder why we labored too hard to see all of it, as if we would not have an eternity to do so.

In other words, Paris can wait. The pyramids can wait. The trip to Australia can wait (note for all you travelers out there - notice I did not say Australia should wait. I could not possibly lay that upon your conscience).

The common saying, "I must see [said geographical location] before I die", has no place in the Christian experience. Sure, we may travel as resources permit; albeit in a way that brings glory to God (1Cor10:31). But, there is absolutely no temporal pressure to do so.

For some reason, we have allowed eschatology to fall from its rightful place as the reason for our soteriology (cf. Col 1:3-5).

Given this theological shift, our desire to travel overshadows our obligation to disciple; and our excitement for Europe has eclipsed the expediency to evangelize. And so we are of all people most pitiful. But we are only so if the resurrection and recreation are true. If they are not true, we are pretty smart. We should make every effort to see every speck of geography before we die.

If we never die, however, imagine the possibilities. Imagine the new places. Imagine the glory of a recreated Paris, Egypt, and Australia. And imagine having no less days to visit those places than when we had first begun. O, glorious day! It makes all the sense in the world to labor with all our might storing up treasures in this heaven - living sacrificially now, that we may enjoy our eternal reward then.

Content With This World or Encouraged By Heaven

It may be that we are just too content here.  We are just fine with the way things are.  Money affords us the luxury of living without hunger, thirst, and, for the most part, pain.  If there are inconveniences, that's just what they are - inconveniences; most of which only need to be "fixed" before we die.  Make that note: get it all in before we die.

But do we really believe in heaven after we die?  Do we have hope that there is really a life that, for billions and billions of years, will be so much more familiar to us than this life?  Do we live in eager expectation of a time when things don't just get better or get fixed, but when all things are perfectly and gloriously recreated and are in complete subjection under Christ Jesus?

Do we believe that sacrificing things in faith, hope and love for others will really turn out to benefit us in heaven?  Does God reward those who diligently seek Him?

Does cancer, back pain, cerebral palsy, depression, bi-polar disorder, ingratitude, brutal persecution, and even unexpected death bring us to long for the day when we are "made perfect in holiness"?

I have to admit that I find myself quite content here, although I am slowly becoming less so.  It may be that I am getting older; and that my life as a husband, father and pastor now has more responsibility attached to it.  It may be that life is going by much faster than it ever has.

I trust that sanctification is playing a role as well - by His grace of course.  More than ever, I feel the loss of this worldly life with every step of obedience; from helping my children brush their teeth, to ministering in a more "dangerous" part of town than I'm used to.

Regardless of it all, I am becoming more aware and more convicted by the call to preach the gospel of Christ to as many as I can.  Ironically, going to the dark places (of my own heart as well as the hood) has enabled me to see more light.  I have seen the power of the gospel at work.  And I really like it.  I believe that Christ saves more now than ever.

In short, I am thankful that the Lord is enabling me to believe that heaven is worth giving up everything for.  My life is an absolute wreck right now; but I have never prayed more in my life.  Nor have I believed this much that Christ, via death, is truly gain.

I was encouraged today by Paul's words to the Thessalonians and I would like to leave those words with you.  It is my prayer that as the Lord sanctifies us, that we will be more and more encouraged by the truth of His inevitable return and by our glorious eternity in heaven:

For the Lord Himself will decent from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of GOd.  And the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who hare alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.  Therefore encourage one another with these words (1Thess 4:16-18).