“ The Critical question for our generation—and for every generation—is this; If you could have heaven, with no sickness, and with all the friends you ever had on earth and all the food you ever liked and all the leisure activities you ever enjoyed, and all the natural beauties you ever saw, all the physical pleasures you ever tasted and no human conflict or any natural disasters, could you be satisfied with heaven if Christ was not there?” - John Piper, theologian.
How much do you love Jesus? Many of us are in love with the idea of being in love with Jesus, but how many of us are actually in love with Him? Do we only love what He’s done for us or do we love HIM for what He’s done for us? At home, we’ve been studying the book of 1st Thessalonians. This study has been truly thought provoking and soul stirring as you read about a great group of brothers and sisters in Christ. Paul had written to the Corinthians around 51 AD, somewhere in a few months to a year after he had first preached to them in Acts 17. For being fairly new converts, they were already known for their strong faith and were known as awesome examples (1 Thessalonians 1:7,8). The Thessalonian Christians were people that turned their backs completely on the idols and Caesar-worship Thessalonica was known for in Macedonia and turned completely to God (1 Thessalonians 1:9). They rejected, completely and quickly, the social norms of their city and embraced the one true God. These were people who saw what the Lord could do for them and knew that it was worth everything, even “much affliction” (1 Thessalonians 1:6) to live for Christ. Let’s stop and think about our spiritual lives. Christianity is not some mere concept by which becomes and addition to our life and neither is the church some sort of glorified social club. It is an all-consuming way of life in the great Kingdom of God that offers hope, strength and the offer of eternal life. Christianity offers a better way of life that leads to a better eternity. But none of these things are possible without Christ (1 Thessalonians 1:3). None of these things were possible without the one who loves us and cares for us.
Think of all the things that Jesus does for you; He is our Mediator (1 Tim 2:5) our Advocate (1 Jn 2:1) nourishes and nurtures us (Ephesians 5:29) our way to Heaven (John 14:6) and the Provider of our rest (Matthew 11:28-30). The list goes on. Do we find ourselves loving the blessings more than we love the Individual who blesses us? When I look at mature Christians like Paul, he longed for Heaven (2 Timothy 4:7-8) but because he knew Christ was there (Philippians 1:21-23). He didn’t just abstain from sin so he can receive a crown (1 Corinthians 9:25) but He wanted to be with the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:17). There is absolutely nothing wrong with longing for Heaven. It is going to be such a beautiful place. But the more one grows in Christ, the more one not only longs for Heaven, but longs to please their Savior, whom they love. That’s why Paul was able to say to live life is for Christ and to die is gain (Philippians 1:21). That’s why the Thessalonians were so faithful. It is Christ that can develop that same love in you.
-Paul