GOING TO HEAVEN

by Dan Goddard

Our number one priority in this life must be to go to heaven. Nothing else is as important. Jesus says in Matthew 6:33 “BUT SEEK YE FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS; AND ALL THESE THINGS SHALL BE ADDED UNTO YOU.” Our soul is the most precious thing we have. There is nothing that can equal its value. We read in Matthew 16:26 “FOR WHAT IS A MAN PROFITED IT HE SHALL GAIN THE WHOLE WORLD AND LOSE HIS OWN SOUL? OR WHAT SHALL A MAN GIVE IN EXCHANGE FOR HIS SOUL?” One certainly does not profit in the tragic loss of his soul.

It is easy in today’s materialistic society to get caught up in the pursuit of materialism if we are not careful. Out Lord says in Matthew 6:19-21 “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 NEIGHT 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.” Our bank account needs to be in heaven.

Every day we need to tell ourselves that the main thing in this life is to bo to heaven. We read in Colossians 3:2 “SET YOUR AFFECTION ON THINGS ABOVE, NOT ON THINGS ON THE EARTH.” We should regularly think about going to heaven.

Heaven is a prepared place (John 14:2-3) for a prepared people. It will be such a wonderful place, which is beyond our wildest dreams. Paul says in I Corinthians 2:9, “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.” There is no way that heaven can be described as we as mortal human beings can understand how wonderful it will be.

A person will not accidentally go to heaven. Going to heaven is a lifelong race as we read in Hebrews 12:1 “WHEREFORE SEEING WE ALSO ARE COMPASSED ABOUT WITH SO GREAT A CLOUD OF WITNESSES, LET US LAY ASIDE EVERY WEIGHT, AND THE SIN WHICH DOTH SO EASILY BESET US, AND LET US RUN WITH PATIENCE THE RACE THAT IS SET BEFORE US.’ Going to heaven requires endurance, patience and persistence. We must finish the race.