This world is not my home
Published 2:40 pm Thursday, April 7, 2022
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Jesus said, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:19-21 KJV). As I consider the statement of Jesus, I am reminded of the words to a song we often sing as we worship God. The words of the song say, “This world is not my home; I’m just a passing thru. My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue.” Truly our treasures must be laid up in Heaven. It is important for us to remember that when we take our last breath upon this earth, every worldly treasure that we have amassed throughout our lifetime will be forfeited to another. And as we enter eternal life our eternal destination has been sealed. Our eternal destination will be determined as our earthly lives are weighed in the balance against the Word of God. According to Hebrews 9:27, all men die and following our death will come the judgement. Jesus said, “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day” (John 12:48 KJV).
With these things in mind, we should remember that life is short at best. Our physical lives are but a temporary existence in the physical realm in which we have but a limited time to prepare ourselves for eternity (James 4:14). Peter said, “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness” (2 Peter 3:10-11 KJV). Jesus also reminds us of the shortness of life and the certainty of the end of the physical world (Matthew 24:35).
If we are serious about our lives, physical and eternal, then we must consider, what the song asks, “If heaven is not my home, then Lord what will I do?” Jesus reminds us that many will not enter into heaven. He said, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:21-23 KJV), See also (Matt. 22:14; 25:41, Revelation 20:10, 15). Sadly, for a vast majority of individuals their eternal destination will be torment day and night. For those whose home is heaven Jesus said, “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4).
It is difficult for us to imagine how great, wonderful, and beautiful Heaven will be. While we may not be able to fully comprehend the glory of heaven, the apostle Paul by inspiration said, “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9 KJV) (See also Isaiah 64:4). This unimaginable please is reserved for the children of God (1 Peter 1:4, Hebrews 10:34). There is no doubt that we are eternal beings, and our souls will live in one place or another. This is why Jesus pleads with us to make an educated choice seeking the kingdom of God first (Matthew 6:33). If we do not make this choice, if we are apathetic in our decision, we have in effect chosen eternal separation from God. Our desire is that of Jesus, that all men come to Him, that all men find salvation through Jesus. While it is not always an easy journey in life to be a Christian (Matthew 7:13-14), it is a rewarding life, both on earth and in heaven. No one will accidentally go to heaven. As Joshua and his family chose to follow God so must men today make a choice.
If you are not a Christian or are struggling with your faith, we invite you to worship with us at the Centerview Church of Christ, located @ 441 Hatcher Lane in Elizabethton, Tenn. We stand ready and willing to help answer any questions you may have concerning the eternal destiny of your soul. We also invite you to attend a series of meetings to be held, April 17-20. Kent Bailey of Calhoun, Ga., will be our guest speaker for the week. Our services will be Sunday at 10 and 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. and Monday thru Thursday at 7 p.m.
(Tony Hoss is minister of the Centerview Church of Christ, Elizabethton)