SIH’s Think On These Things: Heb 11:14-16

Heb 11:14-16  For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.  (15)  And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.  (16)  But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

In our text, we read that those of faith, “declare plainly” that they seek a country.  The meaning of the phrase “to declare plainly” is the idea “to put on exhibit, to uncover, or to reveal publically”.

These Godly men and women did not live their lives for the accumulation of the wealth, comfort and fame that this world has to offer. They knew a “better country awaited them”.  But their testimony did not stop there. Through their actions and voices they “put on exhibit” to everyone that they were on a pilgrimage.  Their travels were taking them THROUGH this fallen world and TO another world yet to come.

The world to come is called “heaven” or the “New Jerusalem” (Rev 21: & 22:), the city that God has prepared for each one of His chosen people of faith.  The existence of heaven proves that we are loved, a part of God’s family, and heirs of wonderful blessings to come (John 14:2-3)

Are we living our lives as if we are on a pilgrimage through this world?  If so, are we verbally explaining to others our motivation, the “great hope” that we possess of eternity with Him?

By God’s grace alone, might we all aspire to be like the faithful servants of Hebrews 11 who, by their voices and actions, “declared plainly that they seek a country.”

May the Lord bless each one of us as we “Think On These Things”.

SIH Homepage: http://www.settledinheaven.org

A Place that has to be Believed to be Seen

How many times have we heard the saying…. “seeing is believing”?  In other words, experience leads to belief.  It is only when we experience something that we can then place our faith in it. This is a generally accepted attitude that has existed throughout the generations, to say otherwise is just being foolish.  Or is it? 

In their song  “Walk On” the group U2 sings the following lyrics… “Walk on, walk on;   What you got, they can't steal it;   No they can't even feel it;   Walk on, walk on;   Stay safe tonight... You're packing a suitcase for a place none of us has been;   A place that has to be believed to be seen”  (http://www.macphisto.net/u2lyrics/Walk_On.html)  In the context, they point out that heaven must be believed in BEFORE it can be experienced.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wfjPmDlCB0   

The need to have belief before someone can enter into heaven aligns itself with Bible teachings … “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” … “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.” (Heb 11:1, 13-14) The need for faith to precede experience is not a principle limited to our experience of heaven, the Word of God makes it clear that faith is an absolute necessity in many areas of our Christian life…

 THE SCRIPTURE:

 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (Gal 5:22-25)

 THE STUDY:

 Faith is a basic Biblical principle, going far beyond the subject of heaven.  It applies to many different aspects of Christian living… when it comes to spiritual living, belief must precede experience.   Faith is necessary for the forgiveness of sin, for the receipt of the promises of God, as well as the experience of God’s glory after our death. (Roms 5:1, Roms 4:13, Roms 5:2)   Truly the life of a Christian is a life centered on faith, which then leads to experience.

One of the most amazing things about faith is that it is not a natural part of man, it is given to us as a gift from God. (Eph 2:8-9).  This emphasizes our need for Him in all areas of our life.   At our initial salvation experience, we could not trust in Him apart from His intervention in our lives. (John 6:44)  During our Christian life on earth, we are helpless to trust His promises and receive His blessings apart from His gift of faith. (Matt 13:58)  And finally, we would all be without hope for our future without His faith being granted to us. (1 Pet 1:18-21).  Yes, the Word is so true when it says that “If this man were not of God, he could do nothing. (Joh 9:33)

 THE PRACTICAL APPLICATION:

 In Gals 5:22-25, “faith” is described as a “fruit of the Spirit”.  In other words, like all the other fruits of the Spirit, our life should be a living testament of the faith that has been so graciously given to us.   As we live our life on earth, the choices we make exhibits our faith to others. Pastor Charles Stanley of the First Baptist Church of Atlanta Ga.; says that we should “obey God and leave all the consequences to Him.”  This is a very simple way of stating the role of faith in the life of a Christian.  By choosing to obey the Lord, we are choosing to exercise faith in Him and His promises, instead of relying on our own abilities and devices.  This is the testimony we should be living in the sight of others…ALWAYS putting the Lord first and then, by faith, trusting Him to take care of the consequences of our actions.   

 For those who have never received the Lord’s faith into your life…. Your most important responsibility is to look to Him for salvation, realizing apart from Christ, you can do nothing for your own salvation.  He must intervene in your life and save you from your sins.  By totally trusting on Christ for your salvation, you are fulfilling your responsibility and can be assured that He has given you spiritual life and a wonderful eternity awaiting you…

“Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Eph 2:5-10)

If you have any questions concerning this blog, or if you have a subject you would like discussed, please feel free to email me at settledinheaven@gmail.com.    I will answer all emails via my blog, email, or both.

May the Lord bless your study of His Word.

Like God’s Word… may your soul’s salvation and your life’s faithfulness be “Settled in Heaven.”

We Are Going Higher… to our Heavenly Country!

In just the last few weeks, we’ve had a series of disasters strike our world.  Earthquakes, floods, oil spills and attempted terrorist attacks, just to name a few.  Put on top of that the condition of our economy, the two wars we are waging in the middle east, and the national debt… things look pretty bleak.  For everyone, there is much to be concerned about. 

In spite of all these adversities, we can have the hope of a wonderful future.  Creed is one of many  popular groups that, throughout the years, have performed songs about this future. In their song “Higher”, they speak of a land where “blind men see”, and that possess “streets of pure gold”  (www.youtube.com/watch?v=pt39Ni-R5Vw&feature=fvw).  What city are they talking about?  And more importantly, how can I get there?   Our amazing Lord has answered both these questions for us in His Word.   Let’s see what God says about this wonderful future ahead of us….

THE SCRIPTURE:

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

(Hebrews 11:13-16)

THE STUDY:

Hebrews chapter 11, is filled with accounts of noble men (Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham etc.) who were willing to make great sacrifices for God.  You can read a summary of all they did for their Lord in Hebrews 11:1-12. 

Beginning in verse 13, we are clearly told that these men, in spite of their faithfulness, died.  These men didn’t receive all that God had in store for them during their life on earth.  They had been promised that they would have a great future coming from God Himself.  This promise was fulfilled after their death.

Note our verses again, through faith in their Lord’s word, they believed that God would fulfill His promises of a great future for them… they saw the promises’ fulfillments “afar off, were persuaded of them, and embraced them”.   Although these men died… their life did not end there… God began to fulfill His promises to them by giving them eternal life.

God continued to fulfill His promises to them by giving them a miraculous future.  What was this future God had in store for them?  The latter part of our verses gives us an explanation.   This future is described as a better country, a heavenly country, and a city prepared by God for them.   These men would dwell in a country and city made by God Himself.  What a wonderful blessing awaited them in this city…. No more sickness, no more death, no more sorrow, no more pain; and, most importantly, never ending fellowship with their God.   (Rev 21:3-4)

This is the city where “blind men see”, this is where “streets of pure gold” exist.  This is the country that all men desire to enter. This is the land we call heaven. 

Now onto our second question … “How can I get to heaven?”   The Lord makes it plain, access to heaven is given to those who have placed their belief in Christ, His words and His work on the cross. Trusting that through His death, our sin debt is paid and forgiveness from God is attained.  Belief in Him as Lord and Savior, is the key to a heavenly entrance.  (You can read more about this in John 14:1-7)

THE PRACTICAL APPLICATION:

The promise of a heavenly home awaiting us should be a tremendous motivating force in our lives.   For those of us who are saved, it inspires us to continue to serve the Lord even during the difficult times of our lives.  It gives us the strength to continue on, in spite of the condition of the world around us.  It makes living a life for Him worth it all.

For those of us who are not saved, the promise of eternal life and an eternal dwelling place should persuade us to trust in Christ.  When the waves of a troubled life roll, He will fulfill our need of both an anchor and harbor.  When we are saved we become a member of His family… giving us security and hope in the midst of the storm.

During these disastrous times of life, we should be reminded that this world, and all it offers, can slip away in a heartbeat.  Our only security in this life is found in becoming a faithful follower of Christ, and an heir of the promises He has so graciously given to us.    

May the Lord bless your study of His Word.

Like God’s Word… may your soul’s salvation and your life’s faithfulness be “Settled in Heaven.”