On day two of your vacation to a South Pacific island, you learn that a massive firestorm is headed your way. So you book passage on a return flight, the last plane out before destruction hits. When the officials check your brief case, they find the gold-plated pocket knife you purchased from a coin shop, a rare specimen and important part of your identity as a collector of rare knives.
When the officials inform you that you cannot carry the knife on the plane, you protest, stating that it is perfectly harmless and a rare collector’s item. The argument becomes lengthy, you miss your plane, and you realize you are not going to escape the coming fiery devastation.
In like manner, there is no sin in heaven, and if we think we will be allowed to pass through the pearly gates with our hearts embracing our favorite sin – unforgiveness, jealousy, lust, greed, or pride, we are mistaken. We will not be able to enter into the Kingdom of God, our trip to heaven will be cancelled, and we will face destruction in the Lake of Fire. In his letter to the church at Corinth, the apostle Paul stated: “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?” (I Cor. 6:9) then gave several examples.
Although we think it is perfectly harmless, that private sin we cherish and indulge becomes so entangled in our souls that it becomes part of our identity; of WHO WE ARE. But our identity should be in Christ. God is not only a God of love, but He is also a holy and jealous God, and our cherished sins are idols of the heart; we are worshipping other gods.
For the Laodicean Christians, it was their wealth and comfort. Jesus’ response was clear: “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Revelation 3:15-16
For each of us, there will come a day when we need to catch the last flight out to heaven. And if our soul is enmeshed in sin, we may not make it, for there is no sin in heaven. How do we get ready for our trip to heaven? Repent, Repent, Repent. Get rid of worldliness and sin, because we can’t take them with us. And help our friends, family, and acquaintances do the same, for some day they too will want to catch the last flight to heaven.
To God be the glory
Board of Evangelism
When the officials inform you that you cannot carry the knife on the plane, you protest, stating that it is perfectly harmless and a rare collector’s item. The argument becomes lengthy, you miss your plane, and you realize you are not going to escape the coming fiery devastation.
In like manner, there is no sin in heaven, and if we think we will be allowed to pass through the pearly gates with our hearts embracing our favorite sin – unforgiveness, jealousy, lust, greed, or pride, we are mistaken. We will not be able to enter into the Kingdom of God, our trip to heaven will be cancelled, and we will face destruction in the Lake of Fire. In his letter to the church at Corinth, the apostle Paul stated: “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?” (I Cor. 6:9) then gave several examples.
Although we think it is perfectly harmless, that private sin we cherish and indulge becomes so entangled in our souls that it becomes part of our identity; of WHO WE ARE. But our identity should be in Christ. God is not only a God of love, but He is also a holy and jealous God, and our cherished sins are idols of the heart; we are worshipping other gods.
For the Laodicean Christians, it was their wealth and comfort. Jesus’ response was clear: “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Revelation 3:15-16
For each of us, there will come a day when we need to catch the last flight out to heaven. And if our soul is enmeshed in sin, we may not make it, for there is no sin in heaven. How do we get ready for our trip to heaven? Repent, Repent, Repent. Get rid of worldliness and sin, because we can’t take them with us. And help our friends, family, and acquaintances do the same, for some day they too will want to catch the last flight to heaven.
To God be the glory
Board of Evangelism