Greg Chandler
10/13/13
Before the era of political correctness, Christopher Columbus was considered a hero by citizens of the United States. School children learned about his voyages, with many learning the jingle “in fourteen hundred and ninety-two, Columbus sailed the ocean blue.” A day was proclaimed to celebrate the man who “discovered the new world” that would eventually be home to the United States of America. Still, the honest student of history also learned that this discovery was quite by accident. As he sought a shorter route to the riches of Asia by sailing westward, Columbus had no idea that two massive continents stood in his way. Upon landing in the Caribbean and finally learning this was not Asia, he opened the floodgates of Europe as immigrants sought new lives and wealth in this newly discovered land.
Unlike Columbus’ unexpected find, the new world of Heaven will not be discovered by accident. Sadly, however, this is how many view their search for the Promised Land. Lives are lived carelessly, with little attention given to salvation and developing a relationship with the Lord. Still, a belief is held by many that, upon death, Heaven will be their eternal destination no matter how they lived while on earth. In a 2005 ABC News poll, 89% of Americans professed belief in Heaven and 85% believed this would be their eternal home. In the pages of His word, God clearly bears out the idea in the old spiritual that states “everybody talking ‘bout Heaven ain’t goin to Heaven.”
Heaven is the destination for those who make preparations for the journey while on earth. As the Hebrew writer wrote of God’s faithful, he stated “but as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a Heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared for them a city” (Hebrews 11:16). The soul bound for Heaven is the one who has realized that it is only by God’s loving grace that a door has been opened. The Apostle Paul wrote the Ephesians and told them “for by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8). Upon learning of this grace, the Heaven bound soul surrenders to the Lord by confessing belief in Him and is baptized for the forgiveness of sins. To those seeking salvation in the first century, the Apostle Peter stated “repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins” (Acts 2:38a). It is at this point the journey begins. The Heaven bound soul spends the remainder of his or her years on this earth seeking to build an eternal relationship with God. They, like the faithful listed in Hebrews 11, are seeking that Heavenly country, knowing their loving Father will guide them along the way.
Are you seeking Heaven? You won’t find it by accident. The gracious God of Heaven has explained in great detail His merciful plan for redemption. Set your course for Heaven by reading and responding to the gospel’s call. The course may not always be easy, but the destination will far outweigh any costs. Fellowship with the Lord in the new world is a blessing one can hardly fathom. Set your sail in a heavenly direction!