Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL (01/23/20)
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TITLE: Beyond Our Imagination | Previous Challenge Entry
By Doug Laird
01/28/20 -
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When advancing disciples can look at death not as an end, but as a link connecting their present experience here on Earth with what their experience in Heaven will be, they will have developed the divine perspective of what it means to end well.
Many of the accomplishments posted in obituaries amount to no more than 1Cor. 3: 12 wood, hay, and straw. As impressive as they may be to people with human viewpoint, they are not meritorious of eternal reward (1 Cor. 3: 15).
Unbelievers can produce human good. Only Spirit filled believers (John 15: 5) can produce divine good.
Deeds of human good have their own rewards (prosperity/recognition) here on Earth.
However, It is the deeds of divine good (silver, gold, and precious stones – 1 Cor. 3: 12) that are rewarded in Heaven.
What God has in mind for each and every born again believer to experience throughout eternity future is beyond human comprehension (1Cor. 2: 9). The things here on Earth that impact one’s future in Heaven is where and on what the wise will invest their time, talent, and treasure.
Life after death is not a matter of if, but of matter of where and how eternity will be experienced by each and every soul.
As of the Church Age, the location (Heaven or Hell) of where one will spend all of eternity is determined by one’s belief or disbelief in the Gospel Message (John 3: 18).
If getting into Heaven were the only requirement for a born again believer to finish well, then being born again would be the end of the story.
However, the truth is that how any given born again believer will experience Heaven is the result of choices that he/she makes on a daily basis throughout the course of his/her post (after) salvation spiritual life here on Earth.
To end well, one must not only start well via the second birth (John 3: 5, 7), but then finish the course (2Timothy 4: 7 NASB) set before him/her here on Earth.
This course is the type of post salvation spiritual life outlined in Scripture. There are many alternatives out there.
All born again believers (Romans 8:1) will be in Heaven, but not all born again believers are going to have the same experience.
How so?
Born again believers in Heaven will not have the same amount (2John 1: 8) or type of rewards.
Some will, in fact, may have none (1Cor. 3: 15)!
Likewise, not all born again believers in Heaven will have the same privileges Rev. 2: 17, 26/Rev. 3: 5, 21.
Rev. 2: 7, 11, 17, 26 and Rev. 3: 5, 21 privileges are reserved for born again believers that overcome specific hurdles along the road to spiritual maturity while here on Earth. Many born again believers never overcome these challenges.
Born again believers do not serve God in order to be rewarded or privileged, but God has made it clear that He intends to reward (1Cor. 3: 14) and to privilege (Rev. 2/Rev. 3) in Heaven those who lived for Him during their time here on Earth.
One can experience and/or accomplish everything that the world has to offer (Mark 8: 36/Eccl. 1: 2), and still not finish well in the eyes of God to Whom he/she going to given an account (Roman 14: 12).
I believe that Rom.14: 12/1Cor. 2: 12-15 is addressing the same event in two separate epistles.
In both epistles, Paul was writing to born again believers.
Therefore, this event is not for the purpose of seeing who is getting into Heaven, as all born again believers have been guaranteed a home in Heaven (Romans 8: 1).
It is at this event that born again believers will receive or forfeit their (1Cor. 3: 14, 15) rewards and Rev. 2/Rev. 3 privileges. The receiving or forfeiting of these rewards and privileges is what determines how any given born again believer will experience Heaven.
This event will be one of rejoicing for believers who are rewarded and privileged, but one of embarrassing regret (1John 2: 28) for the believers who will forfeit theirs.
All is well and will end well for the born again believer who identifies and executes the type of post salvation spiritual life that glorifies God.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
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