WE ARE NOT IN HEAVEN YET

"Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:12-13)

Devotion 29 of 37

THE BASIS OF OUR CONFIDENCE

Our life in Christ is associated with a beginning and an ending, or objective. There is progression to spiritual life, as we are "changed from one stage of glory to another" by the Spirit of God (2 Cor 3:18). There is growth to be realized in both the marvelous grace of God, and the experiential knowledge of our Savior, Jesus Christ (2 Pet 3:18).

Because we have been "called into the fellowship" of God's Son (1 Cor 1:9), salvation provides all of the resources required for that fellowship. Because we are now "workers together with God" (1 Cor 3:9), we have been placed in the heavenly realms where joyful and productive work is possible (Eph 1:3; 2:6). Everything required for life and godliness has been given to us in Christ Jesus (2 Pet 1:3). "Life" speaks of our immediate AFFILIATION with the Source of life, God Himself. "Godliness" has to do with the EXPRESSION of that life. Everything required to initiate our affiliation with the Living God is supplied. Everything required to maintain that affiliation has been supplied. All things necessary to begin our labor with God are supplied, as well as everything required to keep that labor going. The realization of these benefits is not found through some process of automation, but through the knowledge of, or acquaintance with Lord God of glory. That is, IN the process of fellowship "with the Father and with the Son" (1 John 1:3), Divine provisions are ministered to us. This is precisely the point made by the Holy Spirit in Second Peter. "As His Divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue" (1:3).

This brings us to another aspect of our involvement in salvation. We have nothing whatsoever to do with its foundation, or with the basis upon which it is founded. The cause of it is not found with us, nor is the power by which it is maintained. All of that is of God, and He will not share His glory with another in that matter. But we are not without involvement, praise the Lord. All of the supplies are in tact, but we must appropriate them. In fact, we are urged to do so, and assured of the sure success of our efforts. A particularly pungent point is made of this in the tenth chapter of Hebrews.

"Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful" (Heb 10:19-23).

THE BLOOD OF JESUS

In Scripture, "boldness" has to do with confidence–an assurance that enables the believer to come into the presence of the Almighty expectantly. And how is such boldness acquired? It is "by the blood of Jesus." More precisely, it comes through an awareness of the effectiveness of Christ's blood. It is honored in heaven, and held in the highest regard. It has cleansed our sin, set us apart to God, and satisfied the redemption price created by sin. We can come confidently to our God because of Christ's blood, and because we have faith in it (Rom 3:25).

A NEW AND LIVING WAY

Believers can also confidently approach the throne of grace (Heb 4:16) because "a new and living way" has been consecrated for them. It is the way Jesus took, when He Himself entered into the Divine residence. It is "new" because no such way was ever before made accessible to men–a way that leads from earth into heaven. It is "living" because it sustains life, and is the means through which life may grow and become productive.

HAVING A HIGH PRIEST

With a bold and expectant assurance, we come to the Father because we have "a High Priest" over the "house of God." His role is to care for the household of God, giving them heavenly sustenance, strengthening them for the race He has set before them, and giving them the Holy Spirit, who is greater than he that is in the world. As High Priest, He is the official Administrator of the benefits of the New Covenant. The writing of the Law upon the hearts and minds of the children of God is His work. The fact that His people know Lord from the least to the greatest, is His doing. God is their God and they are His people because of the work of the High Priest. Sins are remembered no more because of His exclusive and vicarious sacrifice (Heb 8:8-12).

DRAW NEAR WITH A TRUE HEART

Coming into the presence of the Almighty is not a casual matter. We approach with a "true heart"–a sincere heart, undiluted with a love for the world, and enthralled with the love of God. Every person who is born again is given such a heart. That heart is to be maintained by grace through faith. Saints are to "let the peace of God rule" in their hearts (Col 3:15), keeping them free from "an evil heart of unbelief" (Heb 3:12). A pretentious heart cannot come into God's presence. It is not welcome there, nor is it inclined to come there.

DRAW NEAR IN FULL ASSURANCE

An uncluttered heart can approach the Lord confidently. A "full assurance" is a dominating one. The approaching person is more convinced of God's goodness as revealed through Christ, than all of the handicaps of the flesh. An assured heart has embraced the "exceeding great and precious promises," by which we are "participants in the Divine nature" (2 Pet 1:4). A lack of confidence indicates a lack of faith, without which no man can please the Lord.

DRAW NEAR WITH A HEART SPRINKLED FROM AN EVIL CONSCIENCE

An "evil conscience" is a condemning one. It will not allow the individual to come into the presence of the Lord, as confirmed in Adam and Eve's response to their Creator after they had sinned (Gen 3:8). Only God can remove a sense of guilt. Even then, it is only through the blood of His Son. Salvation does not take a cleansed conscience for granted, but makes provision for a continual cleansing. That cleansing is accomplished in a two-fold way. First, by walking in the light, or in the conscious and illuminating presence of God (1 John 1:7). Second, it is maintained by confessing our sins, and realizing "He is faithful and just to forgive us" (1 John 1:9).

DRAW NEAR WITH YOUR BODIES WASHED WITH PURE WATER

As we approach the Lord, sanctification is required. In order to assure our hearts this possessed, an experience common to all believers is mentioned: the washing of the body with pure water. This is an allusion to our baptism into Christ, a particular point in time when we "obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine delivered to us" (Rom 6:17). There was an invisible cleansing that took place then, and it was the working of the Lord. It is depicted in the words of Ananias to Saul of Tarsus: "And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord" (Acts 22:16). However minuscule you may consider that humble act of obedience to be, it plays a vital role in enabling you to come into the presence of the Lord.

HOLD FAST THE CONFESSION OF YOUR HOPE

Lest we become complacent because of the deceitfulness of sin, we are admonished to "hold unswervingly to the hope we profess" (NIV). We are encouraged to do this, for there is no acceptable reason for failing to do so. "He is faithful" who has promised! Those who come into His presence in the described manner will realize such benefits as mortal man has never conceived, and which are beyond the reach of man's imagination.

CONCLUSION

And what does all of this have to do with us not being in heaven yet? A great deal, indeed. The activities described belong to us: (1) Entering, (2) entering boldly, (3) entering by the blood of Jesus, (4) entering by the new and living way, (5) knowing we have a High Priest, (6) possessing a true, or sincere, heart, (7) coming in the full assurance of faith, (8) having a heart that is freed from guilt, (9) having our bodies washed with pure water. All of those require your faith. All are maintained in the course of fellowship with God, and a lively sense of the hope that is before us.

You are involved in an active salvation. There is no point at which God is no longer involved. There is no point where Jesus Christ ceases to be active. The Holy Spirit is present in every required activity. The holy angels are continually involved in ministering to the heirs of salvation. You are also involved! That, of course, is a rich and satisfying participation. The Word of God knows nothing of a salvation without your participation. The glorious wonder of it all is that our participation
takes place within fellowship with the Father and the Son, and through the power of the Holy Spirit.

PRAYER POINT: Father, through Jesus Christ I thank You for a salvation in which I am involved. I was involved in sin, choosing to sin, and engaging in sinful activities. I rejoice in Christ that, by Your grace, I can be involved in righteousness, choose righteousness, and engage in godly activities.

-- Tomorrow: ONLY THE BELIEVER IS SECURE --