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THE NORTHERN KENTUCKY SEARCHER VOLUME 5, NUMBER 18, MAY 8, 2005 THE UPWARD WAY? The following article was written by Robert Welch and appears in the January, 2005 issue of Faith and Facts Quarterly. Are we really seeking for heaven? At first thought the answer might be that surely all are seeking for that “upper and better kingdom.” Some might even think that it is a foolish question to ask. Let us be assured that it is not foolish to ask the question; we need to give it the most careful, serious and intense study. While most people have some vague and childish thought of reaching such an eternal abode, very few are living as if such a goal is the greatest aspiration of their lives. God’s way or man’s way of gaining eternal life has become a vital question. All that we know about the eternal things, which God has provided is to be found in God’s revelation, the Bible. God has provided eternal life and has provided the way by which we are to attain it. Yet people are mocking God and imposing upon His grace in their presumption by thinking that since He has created us and is a gracious Lord He will accept anything we do or any way of life we choose in reaching eternal life. Many people are reasoning that if a certain thing or a certain way in religion pleases them and satisfies them that religious item should not be criticized; that God will surely not condemn one because it pleases the individual. People have decided they can tell God what to do, instead of humbly and faithfully submitting to the will of God. Duty or leisure has become a matter of serious import to Christians. Some have decided that unless the whip is held over them to respond to the will of God they can serve Him at their leisure. The reward for Christian living is not so close at hand as the weekly paycheck. So, the person will not think of missing work on Monday, but gives no serious consideration to his missing church on Sunday. Did you ever hear a person say he was so tired from his church work that he would have to stay home a day and rest from his job? No, but you have heard any number of persons say that they were so tired from their work that they had to stay at home on Sunday evening and rest. Are they really interested in heaven? Or, are they not just playing a child’s game of religion? Have you every heard of a good wife insisting that the husband should stay at home with her on Monday because he had been so busy in church work on the day before that he had not had time to be with her? Of course not, but I dare say you have heard of many cases just the reverse. And, if you were to ask them they would tell you that they want to go to heaven. If they really mean it, why do they not act like? Then, on Wednesday evenings you will find even more playing the “fairy game” of religion. Treasure or pleasure is a pertinent question to him who wants to go to heaven. A man was once heard of who was an elder in the church, who had built for himself a fine brick home, and contributed 15 Cents to the Lord’s work each week. Was he seeking for heaven or a brick home? Men will spend more for pleasures than they contribute to the Lord’s work on the first day of the week. Add up the cost of a movie or two, a ball game, a big dinner out, magazines and papers, each week for pleasure. Now check that figure against your contribution. If you are ashamed you need not tell anybody else about it but the Lord; but surely you will determine to make a better showing of laying up treasure in heaven. Let us not be deceived, all who think about heaven are not going there. It is prepared for those who have enough desire to prepare for it. We need to get down to serious work and preparation. Robert Welch GROWING OLDER Age “twenty”
came much too soon. Written by and submitted by
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