Yesterday, I rode my bicycle through a place I call “Magic Valley.” I love the area, and can imagine the peacefulness I could experience just spending some time there – maybe reading a book. Taking a walk. Just soaking it up.
But I’m also not foolish enough to think that it wouldn’t get old after a while.
I thought about this as I was reading a question out of the Westminster Shorter Catechism this morning. Question 82: “Is any man able to keep the commandments of God perfectly?” The answer is “no,” but that isn’t what got me thinking. We all pretty much (should) know that we can’t keep the commandments. It’s foundational to Christianity in knowing that we need rescue, and that rescue is in Christ.
What I found intriguing in the answer to the question was the thought that in heaven we will keep the commandments. I can’t even fathom what a sinless life might be for me. That’s not saying that I spend my life here in the wild just pumping out sins left and right while excusing myself with a “well, no-one else can live that life, so I’m not even gonna try” defense. I know my character, and I know there are times when I break God’s commandments. None of us can’t. Jesus showed us this when he spoke to a rich young man, first using the commandments that were “easy” for him to excuse – “Yeah, Jesus, I don’t steal or lie or commit adultery.” But then hitting him with the ones he couldn’t just explain away. “Go. Sell everything you have and follow me.” In other words, and quite simply, honor God. Ouch. Not so easy.
When asked the greatest commandment, Jesus actually gave two: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind,” and “Love your neighbor as yourself.” The young man thought he had the second covered, but had no answer for the first but to walk away, dejected. We can be in the same boat too, thinking our goodness to our neighbor will put God in our favor when the time comes, but we’re still confronted with that first commandment, whether we like it or not. And, if we’re being honest, we know we don’t really pay God much attention at all. He’s an afterthought for Sunday mornings. Maybe a little volunteer work here and there. Or perhaps more, but he’s really not the focus of our hearts.
And so this is where heaven must flip it all on its head, because I can’t fathom living a sinless life for eternity…and yet, I’ve been assured that I will. And more than that, I’m led to believe that I’ll be so in love with the idea that it won’t puzzle me in the slightest. Thoughts of my former, sinful life won’t even enter my mind. I won’t sit there pining away for the good old days where I could do whatever I wished, because in heaven all I’ll wish for is living a life in fellowship and worship with God himself. Forever.
Really, in order for us to not get sick of heaven, it would have to be so incredible that we could continue in it for eternity. I may be unable to see it now, but I will someday. I pray you will too.
Beautifully stated!
Thank you Diane.