We are as Christians or if you want to be more specific, Christ's followers, long for Heaven. If we don't long for Heaven then there is something wrong with us. It means that we found all this material stuff and comfort here on Earth are much better than Heaven. Heaven is much better than the best things here. But that's a topic for another day...
However, some Christians only think about Heaven. Salvation is like a golden ticket to Heaven. If you take the time to read the Bible, Jesus has never said that the main purpose of us being saved is for us to go to Heaven. We go to Heaven as the result of salvation.
Jesus repeatedly said in the Gospel that the Kingdom of Heaven is near. He taught the disciples to pray for God's Kingdom to come, God's will be done here on Earth as it is in Heaven. There are more of coming than going for the Kingdom of God. God wants us, His people, to bring His Kingdom here on Earth and apparently He has no plan B for this.
Jesus quoted the Book of Isaiah many times in the Gospel. The themes of the Book of Isaiah regarding the coming of Kingdom of Heaven can be seen in these seven signs:
1. Deliverance
2. Righteousness and justice
3. Peace
4. Joy
5. God's presence
6. Healing
7. Return from exile (sense of home)
Maybe all of us can reflect on these seven signs and ask ourselves what we can do today to bring these signs around our circle of influence, to bring God's Kingdom here. How can we bring deliverance to people that got caught in addictions, in bondage of sin. How can we correct injustice on this planet, tip the scale the other way further. How can we show compassion to people. How can we bring peace, joy and healing, physical or spiritual, to people. How can we bring God's presence to our brothers and sisters and also to people that are far from God. How can make people feel accepted, not feeling judged and condemned, to make them feel safe and at home.
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from
yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." - Ephesians 2:9-10
Sunday, August 22, 2010
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