“My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.” – Apostle Paul (Philippians 1v23b, 24).
This world and its temporal pleasures can and do sometimes become so desirable and distracting to the believer that we simply forget about the great treasure that awaits us in heaven.
I have found myself wondering at times about why God doesn’t just take us to heaven as soon as he has saved us so that we won’t suffer in this world that is drowning in sin. The answer to my question has been answered by God and the answer is “mission”. The mission that we have received from God keeps us focused on the return of Jesus. And the grace that He brings, keeps our minds on things above and not below and it keeps us gathering treasure for ourselves in heaven and not here on earth where it can and will be destroyed.
The mission of the Church is simple. Jesus said: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”
This is what Jesus calls every Christian to. Paul had a passion for the mission that Jesus assigned to him and this passion is clearly seen in his desire to remain on earth in order that the saints may be sanctified.
My encouragement to young men is to finish school, get a degree, buy a house, get a wife and children and teach people about Jesus.
We as believers need to live as Kingdom people on this earth as God planned for us to live before the fall of man, making disciples for the kingdom of Jesus to advance.
RONALD PETERSEN
