Like most Christians, I want to go to Heaven when I die.  I know, I know…that’s really one of those “Captain Obvious” statements. However, have you ever asked yourself, why do you want to spend eternity in Heaven?  Is it just a better alternative than Hell?

I write about this today because you see, I once thought for sure, that becoming a Christian, was all about getting that, “get out of hell free card”.

Many, many years ago, I was “witnessed to”.  I was asked that profound question, “If you were to die right now, do you know if you would go to Heaven or Hell”?  Of course, I didn’t have a clue and answered, “no”.  So, as you can guess, the very next question was…say it with me…” Do you want to know how to be sure you can go to Heaven”?  That’s right and yes, I took the bait and said, “sure”.  I was then shared how sinful I was, and that sin separated me from God.  And if I did not repent of my sins and died, I would go to hell.  But God sent Jesus to die for me and cleanse me of my sins, if I believed He was the Son of God and asked Him to be my Lord and Savior. Then if I was to die, I would have a secure place in Heaven.

This sounded simple to me. So, I said yes again, and prayed the prayer to receive Jesus into my life.  I was then instructed to get into a bible study and attend a good, bible believing church, in which I did.

Now this method of “witnessing” has been successfully taught all over the world and for a long time.  Converting many “sinners” to Christianity.  It gets folks in the Christian door you might say. I don’t see anything wrong with that. It worked on me and it has worked for many of hundreds of thousands. The thought of not going to Hell and spending eternity in Heaven was absolutely wonderful!!

In fact, the very first scripture I memorized was John 3:16 “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

To me, this was a no brainer.  It solidified in me that to believe in Jesus was to win eternal life.  This was a prize that no one else or nothing else had ever presented to me. So, my Christian journey began.

But little did I realize or understand, that it was based on a hidden premise. One that I would struggle with for a good part of this journey and from time to time, even today.  That premise was, “Believe in God, do what He says and get stuff from Him.” 

Anyone else thought or think this way? No, probably just me then.

WORSHIPPING THE GIFT MORE THAN THE GIVER

Based on this premise, it was easy to begin believing that life would be so much easier, now that I was a Christian.  All my desires/dreams would come true and my problems would go away.  All I had to do was make sure I made it to church occasionally, especially on Easter, stop doing a whole list of “bad things” and try to do more “good things”.  Oh, and don’t let me forget the importance to memorize a few scriptures, the books of the bible – in order, and a few phrases of “Christian-speak” to show that I was truly…religious.  You know those phrases like: “God is good all the time and all the time, God is good” or my personal favorite: “I’m blessed and highly favored.”

I did this for a long time.  All the while thinking and believing that this is what being a Christian looked like, sounded like and acted like. After all, sad to say, that is what I was taught, this is what I witnessed.

1 Corinthians 3:1-3, 6 ESV  1 But I, brothers could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, 3 for you are still of the flesh.

Now, I get it.  I was simply an immature Christian.  Just like an infant, toddler, or even a teenager, who must be taught and experience life for themselves. In order to grow into adulthood, I had a lot of spiritual growing up to do, to understand what it truly meant to follow Christ.

So, when I continued to experience life’s challenges, such as failed relationships, financial struggles, unsuccessful plans, physical and emotional pains, I concluded that this “Christian-thang” wasn’t working out the way that I thought it should. I had to decide, should I give up on all this church-going and watching what I say and being nice to people and trying to be good. Or, stay the course in hopes that if I try harder to be a Christian, by praying more, giving more, reading the bible more, doing more Christian things, God would finally see and hear me and give me the things that I require for my life to fall into place as I desired.

Jeremiah 51:17-18 NLT 17 The whole human race is foolish and has no knowledge! The craftsmen are disgraced by the idols they make, for their carefully shaped works are a fraud. These idols have no breath or power. 18 Idols are worthless; they are ridiculous lies!

My version of Christianity in those early years and I must admit, I struggle with at times today, is an idol of sorts of my own making.  You see, when I settled on receiving from God versus surrendering my life to Him, I’d created a version of God that was based on my wants, my needs and my comfort and not on the truth of God, that is evident, throughout His Word.

This version of God and my identity as a Christian was a powerless image that I worshipped. I would bow down to this image daily, sacrifice to it with religious do’s and don’ts, all the while waiting for “good” things to happen for and to me.

Many Christians do not see it this way, but nevertheless, the results are the same. A “rollercoaster” life filled with temporary victories one moment only to be followed by depressing defeats and feelings of hopelessness the next.

But the Word of God is clear when it states in 1 Corinthians 15:57 NIV …but thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

What I am trying to point out is that being a Christian isn’t a thing you become. Is not joining a religious group or church or ministry. It’s not about doing a whole bunch of “do’s and don’ts”.  It’s not even about getting to Heaven or avoiding Hell.

It is coming to the realization that God wants you, me, us, to be in relationship with Him, as when He created us in the beginning. But because of our choice to disobey Him, sin entered our lives and separated us from Him.

Initially, God gave us His Commandments and Laws to show us just what it would take, to be in His presence again.  However, this only pointed out our sinful nature, but did not redeem us nor restore us into a right relationship with God.

Hebrews 7: 19 NLT …for the law never made anything perfect. But now we have confidence in a better hope, through which we draw near to God.

And,

1 Peter 2 NLT 3 And that’s the way it was with us before Christ came. We were like children; we were slaves to the basic spiritual principles this world. 4 But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. 5 God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. 6 And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” 7 Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.

To my Christian brothers and sisters, I leave this with you:  I would highly recommend taking the time to ask yourself, what is it that you are really wanting from God?  Is it His promises or is it Him?  There is a difference believe it or not. One ensures freedom and eternal victory.  The other keeps you on that “spiritual rollercoaster” that breeds doubt, lack of faith, worry and anxiety.  It can even lead to fear and unbelief, which hurts your true “witness” for Christ.

And to my non-Christian brothers, sisters, family, friends, etc., etc.,

Heaven is a byproduct of a right relationship with God through surrendering your life and agenda to Jesus Christ.  Jesus is the goal, not eternity in Heaven nor the fear of Hell.

May God bless you and keep you until the day of Christ’s return.