Believers: Here—or—HOME—Which Do We Desire More—Today?
Death comes to all people, but for a moment, let’s consider death that comes to a believer in Christ Jesus. In a believer’s death, the transition from earth to heaven is instantaneous. One moment we are here: alive, breathing, seeing, thinking, hearing, & being—Then—Jesus calls us home. In that moment, we are no longer here but there: in heaven. It is a truth that heaven existed far before our earthly lives came into existence, and if Jesus tarries His coming, this earth (as we know it) will exist far beyond our earthly lives. It is also a truth that heaven is complete for every believer—the moment the person arrives to his heavenly home. Until that moment, heaven is complete for other believers but not for those who are still alive here on earth. So, as we remain here, we are torn: Do we desire to be here on earth for the few years we have remaining—OR—Do we desire more to go on HOME to HEAVEN where we will reside within the presence of God forevermore?
Believers: Here—or—HOME—Which Do We Desire More—Today?
Paul pondered this question. I find that comforting. There are so many things we desire to do “before we die,” and there are so many conversations we wish to have with others “before we die,” but we are not promised more days than today. Therefore, what we desire more—Here—or—HOME to HEAVEN—determines how we live our present days, our earthly time remaining.
Read with me a familiar passage, one where we read the desire of Paul’s heart. Please pick up your copy of God’s Word, seeing with me the precious words of our Father God.
“What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth,
(Philippians 1: 18-25 NASB)
Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice.
But not only that, I also will rejoice,
for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
according to my eager expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body,
whether by life or by death.
For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and
I do not know which to choose.
But I am hard-pressed from both directions,
having the desire to depart and be with Christ,
for that is very much better;
yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sakes.
Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, . . .”
As I type this Scripture, I hear these lyrics playing in my ears from a melody:
“The one I thought I had chosen had really chosen me first!
Where would I be—if not for the LOVE of God!”
Hallelujah for the love of God!
Thank You, God!
Hallelujah for the love of God!
Hallelujah for the love of God!
Hallelujah for the love of God!
Hallelujah for the love of God!
Hallelujah for the love of God!
Hallelujah for the love of God!. . .”
“For the Love of God” by Andrew Ripp
Paul wrote: “according to my eager expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.” (Philippians 1: 20 NASB)
- As Believers: Here—Do We Desire This—Today?
- As Believers: Here on Earth—Will We Desire This—Tomorrow?
- As Believers: Here—We Desire—Every Day We Are Alive Until Jesus Calls Us HOME!
“Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.”
(Philippians 1: 20b NASB)
In a believer’s death, the transition from earth to heaven is instantaneous!
- One moment—Here on Earth.
- Then in the very next moment—HOME to HEAVEN!
Yesterday, I saw something and heard a man speak words that caused me to really consider the Apostle Paul’s words.
The volunteer who walked around the parade ground at Fort Sumpter said, “See these fingerprints there in the brick. Those are the only remaining record of this slave’s earthly life.” As he said those words, I leaned in close to the brick wall, and immediately I could see what once I could not see before I leaned in close. Fingerprints! Almost reverently, I placed my right hand against that brick wall and placed my fingertips against where his fingers once pressed, and pondered, ‘Who was this man who had a hand in creating this brick wall? What were his thoughts when he placed this brick here in this wall of the fort? What was he like as a person? What was his name? Was he a believer? Did he know the Lord?’
- Truly, this man, this slave’s fingerprints brought to life this man I never knew.
- Truly, this man’s presence on earth was important to God.
- Truly, God had a purpose for this man who I never knew.
- Truly, if this man was a believer (like me) than one day, we will be together in heaven, in paradise, in the place God has created for His own.
- Truly, when I am complete, when I arrive home in heaven, & if this man is there, then I will have the opportunity to ask him my questions for the Bible tells us that we will be known (there) as we are known (here), so as we communicate (there), I will ask this man and listen (there) as he answers my questions I have in my mind (here) today.
The Apostle Peter wrote in his first letter in the Bible how we have been given spiritual gifts for a reason: for the spread of the gospel. We are reminded how we are to be careful, how we are to be faithful, and how we have a privilege—to serve God!
“Whoever speaks is to do so as one who is speaking actual words of God;
(1 Peter 4: 11 NASB)
whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies;
so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ
to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever.
Amen.”
- We plant seeds.
- We plant far more gospel than we realize!
- We pray for others.
- God hears our every prayer!
- We trust God in the presence of others.
- We help them see God more and more as we do!
- We share conversations with them, speaking Jesus in front of them.
- God is at work!
- We are not the end—in and of ourselves.
- GOD is ALWAYS at work drawing the lost one to HIMSELF!
Nevertheless, the fingerprints of God we leave behind in this world can be an agent of change for someone to come to know Jesus as Savior & Lord (maybe even someone we have not even met or someone we do not even personally know)!
As a child of God, we have a place in heaven already prepared for us, and one day sooner rather than later, we will go HOME. It is there, when we reach HEAVEN, we will be COMPLETE!
Until that moment, these two apostles: Paul & Peter remind us of the work we need to focus upon as we walk throughout each day we have been given.
It is such serious privilege to live so the world sees JESUS IN US!
“but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.
(1 Peter 4: 17-19 NASB)
For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
AND IF IT IS WITH DIFFICULTY THAT THE RIGHTEOUS IS SAVED,
WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE GODLESS MAN AND THE SINNER?
Therefore, those also who suffer to the will of God are to entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.”
- Today brings the memory of my grandma, a woman who loved the Lord, and a woman who has gone HOME to HEAVEN.
- Today is also the birthday of someone I love, a person I have only known since 2015.
- Today is also Mother’s Day.
Believers: Here—or—HOME—Which Do We Desire More—Today?
- Today is a day for Believers: Mothers, Sisters, Friends, & even Strangers to share Jesus with our daughters, our friends, & even those strangers who we will meet.
We must get ourselves out of the way so God can have His way in and through us!
If Jesus comes today to take us HOME to HEAVEN, well that will be—
“But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ,
(Philippians 1: 23 NASB)
for that is very much better; . . .”