In His Name Devotionals
COLONIZING HEAVEN
In His Name Devotionals
COLONIZING HEAVEN
“He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love.” (Colossians 1:13)
Today many Christians seem to be more interested in “colonizing Heaven” than in “citizenship” in Christ’s Kingdom here and now (Colossians 1:13). Not pitting one against the other, but rather like Jesus said to the Pharisees about their religious conduct, this “Ye ought to have done and not left the other undone” (Matthew 23:23).
Too often the emphasis seems to be increasing numbers rather than developing genuine spirituality among those “already committed to the Lord.” Think how much of the New Testament was written for Christians.
The demonstration of practical Christianity is far more effective than any sermon you might hear. Consider, if you will, that person whose dedication demonstrates confidence in the providence of the Lord. This trust is daily seen in every action, every word; every demonstration of consideration for others. One cannot successfully argue against this example.
The writer of Hebrews could logically characterize Jacob as a deceiver, perhaps even an evil man, considering his relationship with Laban, his father-in-law, but he elected to look past those weaknesses to compliment his later actions (Hebrews 11:21,22). Shakespeare would have one of his characters say, “The evil men do lives after them, the good is oft interred with their bones.” Has that mentality become ours? Would you really rather dwell on the evil instead of the good? If that is the case, you can see why some would rather emphasize Heaven than develop Christ likeness. If, however, you can demonstrate the character of a true child of God (Galatians 5:22, 23), you will have no trouble colonizing Heaven because of the example of your life.
