“Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.” (2 Corinthians 5:1)
Few things in life compare to the excitement of moving into your dream house. But if you’re a redeemed child of God, here’s the score: no matter how beautiful your dream house on earth may be, it’s nothing compared to the one you will have in eternity. That’s why Jesus said, “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2). When it comes to the house we want to live in, certain questions arise. First, what’s the price? Answer: more than you could ever afford! In order to redeem you and take you to heaven, God gave “his only begotten Son” (John 3:16).
Nobody in heaven will ever say, “Look what Jesus and I accomplished.” That would make you a co-redeemer with Christ. It would be an insult to the cross. You’d be guilty of a level of pride that would make it impossible for you to live there. Hymnist Horatius Bonar wrote, “Upon a life I have not lived, upon a death I did not die; another’s life; another’s death, I stake my whole eternity.” The Bible speaks of “laboring” and “working” for God, but don’t get it mixed up. You don’t work to be saved; you work because you are saved. You don’t labor for your redemption; you labor for your reward. That’s so “God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness towards us” (Ephesians 2:7).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me keep my eyes focused on, by Your grace, the place You have prepared for me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Stay encouraged!
Pastor Mike
