"So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual. The first man was of the dust of the earth; the second man is of heaven. As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the heavenly man, so also are those who are of heaven. And just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we bear the image of the heavenly man. I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable." - 1 Corinthians 15:42-50
Have you given much thought to what it means to have eternal life? More than that - what it means to live for eternity when this mortal life is over? I think I shared that Martie and I watch a television show called "The Repair Shop". The "shop" is in England and is staffed by expert craftspeople. I always stumble the words that end in "men" these days. If I write craftsmen it is not meant to disenfranchise women but just to use a word to describe both men and women and the word just happens to end in "men". But I digress and I will stick with "people".
The "shop" captured our attention because of the great care that the repairers showed in restoring whatever it was that was brought to them. In every case, the object had significant personal meaning to the families who typically brought it to the shop as a "last resort". No one else was able to repair it. Now to my point - very often the question to the owner after the repair would be something like "so what do you think your grandfather or other relative would say about the repair?" And more often than not the owners would say, "Well, if they are up there looking down, I am certain that he or she would be very pleased to see it repaired to its former glory".
That comment got my attention. First it suggested that they did not know if the person was in heaven. Second that the person, once in heaven, would even care about something they left behind. Jesus gave us perspective on worldly possessions that we value in this life.
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." - Matthew 6:19-21
Both Paul and Jesus spoke to the difference in what is valued in heaven in contrast to what is valued on earth. The owners of the items in the Repair Shop comments also serve to reveal that we, whose feet are firmly planted on this Earth are inclined project our natural thinking onto what life in heaven will be like. So why do I bring this up? Because the issue is not ever discussed among Christians - in my experience - and I have been a Christian since 1976. We tend to over value possessions, accumulation and relationships during this life. It will all be left behind. We must be careful that we don't have the attitude of Lot's wife who obeyed God physically but looked back on Sodom with regret. Like the song, I Left My Heart In San Francisco.
I am reminded of a story about a very rich man whose last wishes were that on the day of his death - all of his wealth would be converted to gold and it would be buried with him. And so it was. As he approached the pearly gates, he was dragging his coffin behind him. Saint Peter asked him what was in the coffin? The man told him it was all that he spent a lifetime accumulating and raised the lid to show him. To which Peter inquired "Pavement?"
My point - set your heart on things of heaven and don't assume that when you are in heaven that you will just pick up your life where you left off while you lived this natural life. Understand and accept that living in heaven will not be like living on earth.
"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world." - 1 John 2:15-16
Believe it when the Bible says you cannot love God and money. You will love one and hate the other. And you can take that to the bank.
Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.
By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone
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