HelpFinder Bible - Flipbook - Page 171
page A169
How does my knowing about heaven affect my life now?
• 2 C O R I NT H I A NS 4 :1 7 | For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet
they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!
God determined that how you live during your short time on earth should prepare you for
heaven. This gives purpose to life, perspective on your troubles, and anticipation for the
unique role God has planned for you in eternity.
• PH I L I PP I A NS 1 :6 | And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will
continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
The key to perseverance on earth is having a clear view of heaven. When you see clearly
where you are going, you can endure the hardships along the road.
• MA R K 8 :3 6 -3 7 | “And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own
soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?”
• L U K E 1 2 :1 5 -2 1 | Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not
measured by how much you own.” . . . “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth
but not have a rich relationship with God.”
• MA R K 8 :3 4 -3 5 | “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way,
take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if
you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it.”
• G A L AT I A NS 5 :2 4 | Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires
of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.
When you are absolutely convinced that Jesus died on the cross to spare you from eternal
punishment and to give you the free gift of eternal life, then the troubles of this world
are put in perspective. You know that your future—for all eternity—is secure. This gives
you peace no matter what happens in this life, and it changes the way you react to life’s
troubles and trials. Your sinful nature no longer controls you; you are free to live as God
wants you to live.
• 1 T H E S S A L O NI A NS 5 :1 8 | Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you
who belong to Christ Jesus.
• J O H N 1 1 :2 5 | “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even
after dying.”
You should be neither too elated when earthly things go well nor too distressed when they
fail, because you know that the best of this life is just a shadow of what is to come.
Does the Bible really claim there is only one way to heaven?
• J O H N 1 4 :6 | Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the
Father except through me.”
Jesus is the only way to heaven. We may want to buy our way in, work our way in, think
our way in. But the Bible is clear—Jesus Christ provides the only way in.
PROMISES FROM GOD
• J O H N 1 4 :2 | “There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so,
would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?”
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If the rewards of this earthly life were the only things to live for, then a “why bother”
attitude would be understandable. But there are two reasons why this perspective is mistaken. First, when you try to obey God, you put yourself in position to enjoy life the way it
is meant to be enjoyed. Your relationships are more fulfilling, your life has integrity, you find
joy in serving others and bettering your world, and your conscience is clear. Second, this
life is not all there is. The Bible is very clear that those who trust Jesus Christ for forgiveness of sin receive the promise of eternal life. Your faithfulness in this life may or may not
result in material prosperity, but the rewards in heaven will be more than you could ever
imagine.
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• 1 C O R I NT H I A NS 2 :9 | “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined
what God has prepared for those who love him.”