GETTING HEAVEN INTO YOU

And Peter said to them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38).

Salvation is an intriguing subject.  As a child and young person, I had the assumption that it was all about getting to Heaven.  I've grown out of that, though getting to Heaven is the destination of salvation and I am looking forward to the time of arrival there.

 To liberals, salvation is the social gospel, making Heaven on earth through political means.  Certainly, one's relationship with Christ will change how he will view and how he will treat other people, but charity cannot be imposed through political power.  Charity in a society has to come from the heart or freedom is lost and tyranny rules.  Forced charity brings death, not life; read the history of communism in the 20th century.

I believe that salvation is primarily about getting Heaven into you, and less about you getting to Heaven.  Certainly, Heaven on earth is not a possibility except within the company of Christians.  Getting Heaven into you is the mission of Holy Spirit as he works in a life surrendered to the Lord Jesus Christ.  Sometimes it seems as if His work is agonizingly slow.  Sometimes we wonder why it seems as if there is so little change and so little production, but rest assured, getting Heaven into you is happening if you are surrendered to Jesus! 

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Our Father's Love,
Tom