Articles
Nobody Is Leaving Heaven to Come To Earth
The other day I was visiting with Wayne Hunter (and older member of ours who is in Hospice care). As we were talking about his health challenges, he made this observation: “Have you ever noticed; nobody is leaving Heaven to come to earth?”
I am unapologetic about my love for America and for my native state of Texas. It seems everyone likes to mock and deride both, but there are a whole lot of people who want to be here.
Also, I am a fervent apologist for Heaven. As much as I love America and Texas, they do not compare to Heaven! I think I understand why people want to come to America and Texas, but why would anyone want to come from Heaven to earth? We sing, “Heaven holds all to me.” Why would anyone want to leave the presence of the Holy God, where there is absolute purity and righteousness, to come to earth where there is nothing but pollution and filth. There are people who have no regard for right or wrong. People who abuse and take advantage of one another. Where human life is cheap and treated as a disposable commodity. No, no one is trying to leave the presence of God to come to a sin-stained earth.
However, there is One who came from Heaven to earth. His name is Jesus. He is the Messiah. He is the Savior of the world. Out of His deep love for man He came to earth from Heaven. He did not come because earth was so beautiful, but because He loved us so much. He came because we were in such a desperate need. We were lost. The only way anyone could ever have the hope of Heaven was because of His willingness to be our sacrifice for sin. Man could not offer his own sacrifice. When man sinned, he ruined that. God did not give up. He provided a way for man to be with Him. By the way, have you ever noticed the only One to come from Heaven to earth was put to death? He died willingly. Man was murderous in putting Him to death.
That brings up another question, “Why aren’t more people trying to leave earth for Heaven?” The most amazing thing is, God has provided a way for man to be with Him in Heaven. He wants all men to be saved. But if we do not long for a relationship with Him, a relationship more valuable to us than anything on earth, He will not share our hearts. We must love Him with all our heart. Pleasing Him requires more than simply saying "Lord, Lord". Those who do the will of the Father, will--by His grace--enter the kingdom of Heaven. We must want to be with Him. It will not happen willy-nilly.
But that brings up another question. It gets more personal. “Am I longing for Heaven?” Is God working in me both to will and to do according to His good pleasure? Is His powerful word transforming my life to be like Him? Do I call good what He calls good and evil what He calls evil? Are His values my values? Is the power of His blood not only saving me but also breaking the bondage of practicing sin? Does life with Him mean more than living in America and Texas?
No, no one is leaving Heaven to come to earth. There is One who has already done that for us. But do I want to go to Heaven as badly as He wants me to come there? He wants me to go to Heaven badly enough that He not only came from Heaven to earth, but died for us. Now, does Heaven really hold all to me?
Rickie Jenkins
