Dear Confused,

When I was saved 33 years ago, I knew I was solid in the kingdom of God and in the truth found in my manual for success (the Bible). I knew that I simply had a journey here on earth to complete, and when that was done, I was out of here! I will shuck this earth suit and receive my heavenly suit!

Clearly, when we have been born again, Scripture says in 2 Corinthians 5:17-19, Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Salvation is a free gift, but as His children, we have work to do.

We are called Ambassadors FOR Christ, NOT for the world. The Apostle Paul clearly teaches us in Philippians 1:21-23, For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Even Paul said he was hard-pressed between the two. He gives us clear understanding that we should all have a desire to be with Christ, and know it is a far better place. Paul knew his work was to reflect the light of Jesus Christ from within him to a very dark and lost world. When this work for him was completed, he would go to be with Christ, which was always his first choice.

Yes, the world pulls on all Christ’s children. It is a personal decision to want to be in heaven more than here. We need to pray that self-serving, worldly desires, and greed loose off the people of God and that only the desire for the things of our Lord arises in our hearts. Dying (or sleeping as Jesus called it) for a Christian is simply stepping out of earth and stepping into heaven.

We want to hear … “ Well done, good and faithful servant…. Enter into the joy of your lord.” (Matthew 25:23).