I am participating in a study of heaven based on a book of
same title by Randy Alcorn. I read the book several years ago causing me to
preach eight sermons on the incredibly good news it offered through God’s word,
the Bible. In today’s environment I find
almost no mention of heaven and if I do it is because someone has mentioned
hell. Did you know that Jesus mentioned hell more than anyone? Why? He wanted us to understand the reality of the
darkness and the eternal consequences of choosing to go there. Yes, we have a
choice, it is not God who wants us to go to hell, He wants that none should
perish, but all to come to a knowledge of God through Christ Jesus (2 Peter
3:9). So back to heaven, a real place. Yes, heaven is for real a recent movie said. None of us can go there until we die, so what do
we do in the meanwhile? “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your
hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above,
not on earthly things” (Colossians
3:1-2). This is the call to
Christians as we wait for Jesus to return to take us to heaven as 1
Thessalonians 4:16 tells us. The Apostle Paul also has some powerful guidance
on the subject.
“Not
that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but
I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not
consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting
what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win
the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:12-14).
Now this is great and difficult advise. Forgetting the past is one of mankind’s
big issues. We remember our mistakes or we live in the glories of our past
victories in high school track or whatever. Staying stuck in the past sends
many to bitterness or the counselor’s office. So what does Paul say- “press
on.” Keep walking in the Lord, or as
Isaiah 30:21 says, Whether you turn to the right or to the left you will hear a voice
behind you saying, ‘this is the way; walk in it.’” What are we pressing
onwards towards? We are pressing or straining heavenwards. How do we do this?
We do this by forgetting the past and also making it the “One thing.”
“One
thing” is a
determined resolve. I wrote about this last week in, “Resolved to Resist.” Jesus said to Martha in Luke 10:41-42, “Martha,
Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or
indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away
from her.” Notice
that Mary, Martha’s sister, has chosen the “one thing” that is necessary the
King James Version says. This is telling us that fixing our eyes above to where
Christ is seated at the right hand of God in heaven is where our salvation and
strength will lie. Some may say, “you are so heavenly minded that you are no
earthly good.” Well, I don’t think that this admonition is to be that, but
rather to study, pray and meditate on our Savior and His words of encouragement
about our lives. King David, the “Sweet Psalmist of Israel” and “the man after
God’s own heart” wrote in Psalm 27:4, “One
thing have I desired of the
Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the
days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his
temple.” This is his heart’s
desire, to seek after the Lord, and in so doing know for certain that he will
dwell in heaven forever with Him. This was his hearts desire, to seek after the
Lord. It should also be ours’. This was
his resolution. Jonathan Edwards, the great Puritan preacher also wrote
“resolutions” that are for our serious consideration today:
The Resolutions
of Jonathan Edwards (Edited and Abbreviated) 1. Resolved that I will do all I think or say to the glory of God and not to take into consideration my own comfort, profit or pleasure.
2.
Resolved
if ever I shall fall and grow dull so as to neglect to keep any of these
resolutions, I shall repent when I come to my senses again.
3.
Resolved
never to lose one moment of time but use it to the most profitable way I can.
4.
Resolved
to live with all my might.
5.
Resolved
never to do anything which I should be afraid to do if it were my last hour of
my life or before the last trumpet blew.
6.
Resolved
to act in word and deed as if nobody had been so vile as I to live as if I had
committed the same sins or had the same infirmities or failings as others to
confess my own sins and miser to God when I am prone to look on shame at
others.
7.
Resolved
to think much on the brevity and how short ones life is.
Psalm 90:17 :) Teach me to number my days that I may apply my heart to wisdom.
Psalm 90:17 :) Teach me to number my days that I may apply my heart to wisdom.
8.
Resolved
when I feel pain or the least of discomfort to think of the pains of martyrdom
- the torments of Hell.
9.
Resolved
if I see a problem to try to solve it or if someone need help to help them.
10. Resolved if I do help to never become
proud or puffed up or seek the credit (glory). 11. Resolved never to do anything out of anger or revenge.
12. Resolved never to speak evil of anyone - to dishonor them unless for some real good reason.
13. Resolved to love all of
mankind - walk in humility and look to my own faults and failings.
14. Resolved that I will
live as to have no regrets or wish I had done something before I die.
15. Resolved to live each
and every day at all times with the things of Eternity always on my mind and
heart. Live for Eternal Purposes - may I not find joy in temporary things but
in heavenly things.
16. Resolved to be self
controlled in all areas of my life.
17. Resolved to get to the
bottom of an evil thought or deed. I commit and repent and do it no more.
18. Resolved to examine
carefully and constantly in me - what is the thing that causes me in the least
to doubt the love of God and the assurance of His love to cast it away.
19. Resolved to study the
scripture so diligently, constantly and frequently - as that I may find growth
for me and others to observe.
20. Resolved to strive every week to have
grown in Grace and closer to God.
21. Resolved never to doubt
that God hears every prayer I pray to Him - never to doubt His forgiveness -
every sin I confess.
22. Resolved to live
peacefully with all men as much as I can.
23. Resolved only to speak
the truth or what is truthful, never vain, frivolous or empty talking.
24. Resolved to inquire
every night as I am going to bed, where have I been negligent; what sin have I
committed and where have I denied myself.
25. Resolved to inquire
every night, every week, month, year - what would I have done better!
26. Resolved to frequently
review my dedication to God to keep my love and heart solely His and to keep
the love burning bright - to repent of a luke warm heart.
27. Resolved to never forget
I am not my own but Gods and never to live for myself but God.
28. Resolved that nothing
but God, Gods word and Gods will shall influence how I live to shun anything
that is not of Christlike character.
29. Resolved never to allow any pleasure,
grief, joy or sorrow, nor an affection at all, or circumstance to hinder my devotion to God.
30. Resolved to live in
utmost respect and honor to all family members especially my own mother and
father.
31. Resolved to look often
at the state of my soul.
32. Resolved never to say -I
only I could live my life over again I would have done such and such (no
regrets)
33. Resolved to always be
mindful of my Lord Jesus Christ to trust and confide and consecrate myself
wholly to Him.
34. Resolved to live as if I
had already seen the Joys of Heaven and the torments of Hell!
35. Resolved never to
slacken my devotion and resolve to God.
36. Resolved when I fear
misfortunes and adversities - to examine if I have been faithful to do my part
and trust; repent of any sin and trust God for the outcome.
37. Resolved to act loving,
respectfully, Godly towards all and when I am feeling ungodly to quickly
repent.
38. Resolved in all
situations to act Christlike in His nature and character. Did I speak lovingly?
39. Resolved to pray and
groan and intercede with all my heart.
“One thing” is
a resolute mindset determined to do what is right in the eyes of God, not man.
It requires self-discipline and courage, especially in light of the morally
decaying world in which we live. James 4:7 says, “Submit
yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he
will flee from you.” That is a good mantra or resolution. What
about you? Have you made resolutions for life? I’m not talking the typical “New
Year’s Resolutions” that apparently 98% of people forget within, two months, but
life resolutions that will stick. These may change over time, but for me they
will be words from the Bible. Perhaps I will start with a strong admonition
from Jesus saying, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’;
and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Luke 10:27).
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.