Straight Thinking 121767 Heading for Heaven

Straight Thinking

121767

HEADING FOR HEAVEN

Sunday. Heaven is not a come-as-you-are party. God doesn’t call us at the last minute and expect us to put in an acceptable appearance. We know far enough in advance that when death or the Lord’s return issues our final summons, we should be prepared to accept it. We must come then and come as we are; but, if we’re not ready, it will be no party for us. (Read Matthew 22:1-14.)

Monday. Heaven’s not a retirement plan; it’s a career advancement. When we finish our assignment here, we are in line for a promotion, not a pension. If we want a position in heaven, we need to remember that God operates on the principle that people faithful in little things will be faithful in big things too. If we don’t shirk our work now, God will give us a place of responsibility later. (Read Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 16:10-12.)

Tuesday. Which direction are we going in life? If we’re just drifting along in the breeze, we’ll never make it to heaven. If we’re making no effort to avoid hell, that’s where we’re going, because the river of life empties into the lake of fire. (Read Hebrews 2:1.)

Wednesday. Nobody would think of planning a trip the way some people set out for heaven. They neglect to study the Map and suppose they can get there by going any direction they please. We had better go by the Map; or, when we get to the end of the road, we will not be where we wanted to go. (Read Proverbs 14:12.)

Thursday. Let’s be honest with yourselves; are we acting as if we have a long time to get to heaven? Or that just a little righteous living will go a long way? If we calculate getting to heaven in terms of miles and minutes, it’s farther than we realize and later than we think. (Read Luke 12:20; Matthew 24:36-44.)

Friday. Judging from the weak efforts many making to escape hell, wouldn’t we say nearly everybody thinks that, when it comes right down to it, they will get to heaven? As a matter of fact, the Bible says that only a few will be saved out of the billions that have lived on the earth. Consequently, the majority are of us in for a sad surprise someday. (Read Romans 9:27; 11:5.)

Saturday. Watch where you’re going! Did you ever have your eyes wide open and fall in a hole because you weren’t looking where you were going? Let that be a lesson to you. You have to keep your mind on what you’re doing while you’re heading for heaven. (Read Ephesians 5:15-17.)

Virgil Warren, Straight, December 17, 1967, p13                                                                             christir.org