If you have read a few of these blog articles you would have come to the conclusion that the Lord wants us to be fruitful and live for heaven and not for this short time on earth. The reason why most Christians tend to live for this life is because we can see what we have here. We can see we are building a career, a home, wealth and so on. With regards to ministry churches often aim at numbers or activities rather than the depth of individuals’ relationships with Christ, for that is what can be seen. We tend to focus on what we can see.
However, the Lord is very clear in the Bible that we should not be focused on this life, but on eternal life.
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven,” (Matthew 5:11-12).
“Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven,” (Matthew 6:1).
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal,” (Matthew 6:19-20).
Above are only a few indications that heaven is what we live for. Since man is naturally results orientated we tend not to live for heaven, because we cannot see what we work for. This is where faith comes in. “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see,” (Hebrews 11:1). We tend to see faith as believing for this life. When we want God to do something, such as healing and provision, we act in faith as the substance to support our expectation or hope. We haven’t seen it yet, but faith is to us the evidence that we will get it. But what if we don’t get it? Has the Lord not answered our prayer? If we are faithful day in and day out and seem not to get what we expect to get or see, will we give up?
There is the story of this man, Victor, who faithfully handed out gospel tracts, but saw no results. After some time he gave up and actually became an alcoholic tramp. One day, as he sat on the bench in the park, a man called Simon approached him and told him his testimony. Simon used to be a drunk and one day somebody slipped a tract into his coat pocket whilst he slept on a park bench. This led him to Jesus and he became a pastor. Simon then took out that very tract he had received and gave it to Victor, for he felt it might change Victor’s life too. When Victor turned the tract around, he recognised his own address and telephone number on the back. He was the man who led Simon to the Lord.
The Lord is at work. We should not look for results, but just continue to believe. Faith should not be the power to get us what we want, but should be the motivation to continue to work for what the Lord wants. We plan and do in order to show others what we have accomplished, but it leads to empty results. The Lord is not so much interested numbers or results as in our faith in what He is doing.
Hebrews 11 continues by telling of all the great faith ventures of those who expected the Messiah and then ends with these words in verses 39-40: “These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.” This would be in heaven.
I will just persevere, Lord, trusting you for results I may never see on earth. It is about your plan, and in heaven we will see.
Thank you Lord that your Word went out from your mouth, via your servant’s pen, and it will not return to you empty, but will accomplish what you desire and achieve the purpose for which you sent it.
Please pass this on if you think others may benefit by it.
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