Articles
SET YOUR MIND ON THE THINGS ABOVE
Have you ever thought about this. What if we lived in a place where every person loves God, listens to His Word, and follows His teaching/ commandments? A place where love and concern for others replaced, anger, hatred, and hurtful action towards others. A place where forgiveness is more important than holding grudges and retaliation. Well, there is a place like this -- its called HEAVEN! God wants all of us to be there, but sadly, many will not accept His invitation and submit to His Will.
Jesus makes it clear that many will not listen, and obey God's plan.
"This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, WHO DESIRES ALL MEN TO BE SAVED AND TO COME TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH." (1 Timothy 2:3-4)
"Therefore, whatever you want others to do for you, do so for them; for this is the Law and the Prophets. Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and MANY ARE THOSE WHO ENTER BY IT. For the gate is small, and way is narrow that leads to LIFE, AND FEW ARE THOSE WHO FIND IT. " (Matthew 7:12-14).
Sadly, many are unwilling to change their ways and submit to God's Way.....Jesus and His Gospel. God has gone to great means to provide that Way to heaven, however He never forces anyone to listen and obey. The Plan He has given us is not hard to understand. He has preserved His Word, the Bible, for us to be able to listen and understand. New Testament teaching for our obedience today. By way of His Grace, and our faith, we can be on our way to that place He prepared for the faithful.....HEAVEN.
Please listen to some of Paul's words recorded for us in the Philippian letter. "For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who SET THEIR MINDS ON EARTHLY THINGS. " For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself." (Philippians 3:18-21)
Finally, consider a passage Paul wrote the Colossian church in his letter to that church many years ago. His instructions for them are just as applicable for us today. God's final words of TRUTH were given to the Apostles (John 14-16), and recorded for men for all time in the Scriptures.
"If then you have been raised up with Christ, KEEP SEEKING THE THINGS ABOVE, WHERE CHIRST IS, SEATED AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD. SET YOUR MIND ON THE THINGS ABOVE, NOT THE THINGS THAT ARE ON EARTH. " (Colossians 3:1-2)
God's saving plan for man is found in the New Testament, is fully understandable for us today, and has the same power to save from sin. So, we can look forward to that wonderful place called HEAVEN, and live with a living hope while here. Do you have that HOPE in your life today? If not, you can change that and make HEAVEN a reality for you. Only God will be the judge on that day....His promises are always true.
Ross
