Should Christians Expect to Taste Heaven This Side of Eternity?
https://goo.gl/1aauQz http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
The US Supreme Court recently ruled that laws reserving marriage to heterosexual couples are unconstitutional.
Matthew 10:16ff reads, “Behold I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves . . . and you will be hated for my sake. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next. . .”
Can we find Heaven on Earth?
Lamentations 3:22 reads, “Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.” Writing to this verse, Billy Graham has written that God feels what we feel. If you are indignant at the Supreme Counts decision, imagine God’s indignation.
Cal Thomas writing an opinion column on 8 July 2015, notes the politicization of the Christian as the Morale Majority or Christian Coalition may have failed to remember Christ’s statement, “My Kingdom is not of this world.”
The Bible does not promise us Heaven on Earth, though each of us may at times forget that – I have more than once. Christians are not going to be universally accepted in this world, in this nation, in this state, or in this community. We will be rebels and outsiders because we are Christians, especially when we are indeed Christians.
When we feel comfortable, we are probably conforming to the world and distancing ourselves from God.
Now when I consider that NO nation on earth is truly a Christian nation and that every nation eventually wanders far away from God’s way, it is not surprising that Nations “fall from grace” and are replaced- “moving from one town to the next”.
I fear that for myself, and my friends and family, but that is my will speaking.
So my prayer remains, “Thy will be done. Allow and strengthen me to be a faithful witness. Help me when my fears and my plans do not track with Yours. Protect my family and friends and keep them close to You. Help me remember this earth is not my home – You have a better place for me, and mine who know You!”
Our right response to the Courts action can be aligned with Graham’s end of another devotion, “Thank God for whatever measure of religious freedom you enjoy – and pray for those suffering for their faith in Christ.”
But don’t look for heaven here on earth
__________________
Gerald Givens is a retired USAF Lieutenant Colonel (1969-1991) and contract satellite engineer/program manager (1991-2011). He was born on 16 March 1945, and blessed to be baptized in April 1945, and married to his lovely wife, Karen, on 23 December 1967. He has served HCLC as Lay Minister and member of the Board of Directors. For many years he served with Karen and a third grade and kindergarten Sunday School teacher. Recently he has led numerous Financial Peace University classes and co-chaired with Karen the Holy Cross Momentum emphasis,”SOAR” which was intended to bring Biblically based financial management training to the broader Holy Cross community.
Thank you, Gerry. We, as Christians, are the representation of His Kingdom on earth right now, in every nation. I’ve been asking what that looks like for us right now in our nation and looking hard at what Christ’s and the apostle’s approach was. It looks different than a lot of the loud voices on the religious right. I suspect it comes from confusing America for God’s Kingdom or a little Israel.
Jen, I agree with what you write at the end of your comments about confusing America for God’s Kingdom. I’ve also heard the term “new Israel” for America which really bothers me. That kind of thinking can lead to the problem of politicians using the church for their personal gain, giving lip service to “god” (small “g” intentional) for political power.