As you consider the future, are there things you are looking forward to? Whether it is an event, an opportunity, a celebration, or accomplishment, there are things we all look forward to with joyful expectancy. When I purchase a gift for someone, I look forward to the moment I can give it to them. To give is better than to receive, but it is perfectly valid to look forward to receiving a gift as well. I remember very well circling the Christmas tree at my Grandpa and Grandma's house, casually taking note of the intended recipient of each gift. It was not permitted on Christmas Eve to pick up a gift, but looking at the gifts was fine. We kids looked forward to receiving the gifts intended for us to receive. As we mature we learn to value the giver over the gift.
Do you know God has gifts intended for each follower of Jesus Christ to receive whilst on this planet as well upon our entry into eternal glory? Is there found in us a heart of gratefulness and thanksgiving for all we have already received and also a sense of expectancy in looking forward to our future home in heaven? I believe it is completely legitimate for us to look forward to our future heavenly reward provided by God's grace. There are some super-spiritual people who say things like, "I've been so blessed now, anything I receive in heaven will be a bonus." While in a sense this is true, should we minimise the value of the reward God has set aside for us? Heaven is something to look forward to, and I don't want to miss out on any reward God intends for me. John gave this exhortation in light of the deceivers in the world in 2 John 1:8: "Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward."
It is not selfishness or pride which moves us to receive all the gifts God has for us. Paul said we should earnestly desire spiritual gifts, and the obedient seek to lay hold of all God offers. When we receive a crown of glory in heaven, it will be of such purity and value like nothing we possessed in our mortal frame. In our fallen flesh we give God our sin and He provides His righteousness in exchange. The work of Christ is described in Isaiah 61:1-3: "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; 2 to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, 3 to console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified." See these divine exchanges? We can only give ourselves, and in ourselves we are no prize. Praise the LORD He values us, loves us, and can be glorified through these clay vessels (to which we are compared), that His glory shines through us.
In the Book of the Revelation twenty-four elders are described as casting down their crowns before the throne of God in worship. It is a lovely picture of the redeemed emphatically and completely giving to God what God had given to them. We don't need to wait for heaven to do this, for we can give unto God the glory due His name today. That being said, more and more I look forward to being in the presence of God in a glorified body without the hindrance of the flesh and this mind which needs constant renewing and reminding and giving God praise. Our vision is a bit blurry now, but one day it will be flawless. All we have is a gift provided by God, and God is not through giving. It follows we ought to look forward to receiving these gracious gifts, for in doing so we will bring Him greater honour and praise forever. Are you looking forward to heaven? Are your affections engaged with God there? Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. There is more treasure in store for those who treasure Christ above all.
Do you know God has gifts intended for each follower of Jesus Christ to receive whilst on this planet as well upon our entry into eternal glory? Is there found in us a heart of gratefulness and thanksgiving for all we have already received and also a sense of expectancy in looking forward to our future home in heaven? I believe it is completely legitimate for us to look forward to our future heavenly reward provided by God's grace. There are some super-spiritual people who say things like, "I've been so blessed now, anything I receive in heaven will be a bonus." While in a sense this is true, should we minimise the value of the reward God has set aside for us? Heaven is something to look forward to, and I don't want to miss out on any reward God intends for me. John gave this exhortation in light of the deceivers in the world in 2 John 1:8: "Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward."
It is not selfishness or pride which moves us to receive all the gifts God has for us. Paul said we should earnestly desire spiritual gifts, and the obedient seek to lay hold of all God offers. When we receive a crown of glory in heaven, it will be of such purity and value like nothing we possessed in our mortal frame. In our fallen flesh we give God our sin and He provides His righteousness in exchange. The work of Christ is described in Isaiah 61:1-3: "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; 2 to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, 3 to console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified." See these divine exchanges? We can only give ourselves, and in ourselves we are no prize. Praise the LORD He values us, loves us, and can be glorified through these clay vessels (to which we are compared), that His glory shines through us.
In the Book of the Revelation twenty-four elders are described as casting down their crowns before the throne of God in worship. It is a lovely picture of the redeemed emphatically and completely giving to God what God had given to them. We don't need to wait for heaven to do this, for we can give unto God the glory due His name today. That being said, more and more I look forward to being in the presence of God in a glorified body without the hindrance of the flesh and this mind which needs constant renewing and reminding and giving God praise. Our vision is a bit blurry now, but one day it will be flawless. All we have is a gift provided by God, and God is not through giving. It follows we ought to look forward to receiving these gracious gifts, for in doing so we will bring Him greater honour and praise forever. Are you looking forward to heaven? Are your affections engaged with God there? Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. There is more treasure in store for those who treasure Christ above all.
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