The One Advantage of Not Being In Heaven!

There is a widespread belief among believers that our brothers and sisters in Christ who have passed away are experiencing a vastly superior existence than us because they live in the presence of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. How can any believer on earth disagree with that?

In the last three years, I have lost my first wife, my brother-in-law, my mother, and my sister. I often think about the glory and pure joy they are experiencing dwelling in the house of God due to the forgiveness of their sin through their faith in Jesus Christ. No pain. No suffering. No sorrow. No sadness. No fear. No worry. No uncertainty. No feelings of failure. They are no longer trapped inside of broken and aging bodies. Perhaps the most wonderful aspect of their heavenly experience is that they are no longer sinful. Not only have their sins been forgiven but they are now incapable of sinning against the Lord. Their sinful natures have been removed from them in entirety. They are perfect in purity. Oh, what joy to think all of us, who have placed our faith in Jesus Christ alone for our salvation, will experience this same perfection after we pass away!

Yet….those of us who are still alive on earth have a huge advantage over our loved ones who have gone on to be with the Lord. We can still lead the lost to faith in Jesus Christ. There are no unbelievers in heaven to witness to. The gospel message does not need to be preached in heaven because there is no one there who doesn’t believe. There is no need to model Christ for those who live in darkness because the dwellers of heaven live in the light of Christ and they can see Him face-to-face.  How can those who have gone on to be with the Lord show compassion for those in need when there is no one in need in paradise?

Ministry to the lost is truly an opportunity exclusively offered to believers who still live on earth. I would argue that since you are alive God still has at least one lost life He has planned for you to touch through your faith in Jesus. While you continue to dwell in your broken and aging body that walks through a corrupt world, you still have a mission to build the Kingdom of God. You are still needed here on earth to lead others to Jesus. You are still called to encourage your living brothers and sisters in Christ to live more fulfilling and rewarding lives on earth by ministering to others in His name.

There will be a day in each of our lives when we will be called home to be with the Lord. For some of us, that day may be sooner than later. For others, that day may still be decades away. However, as wonderful as it will be to see Jesus face-to-face, we will no longer have the opportunity to rescue people from spiritual darkness.

My friends, now is the time to share the gospel. Now is the time to share your testimony. Now is the time to show compassion for those in need. You will not have these kind of opportunities when you pass through to the other side.