Articles
Do You Want to go to Heaven
Do you Want to Grow to Heaven?
No, that’s not a typo. If you asked people, “Do you want to go to Heaven?” most would say “Of course!” What if, instead, you asked, “Do you want to grow to Heaven?” I’m afraid everyone wants to go to Heaven, but very few want to grow there — even among Christians. The apostle Peter instructs us, “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 3:18a). Grace means favor. It’s easy to accept God’s favor at salvation — it’s harder to grow in God’s favor over time. That takes diligence, moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, Godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. (2 Peter 1:5-7).
Let me be clear; grace and Heaven are undeserved. However, as we grow in spiritual maturity, we receive more of God’s favor and become more fit for Heaven. Heaven may be undeserved, but we dare not show up there with the wrong outfit (Matthew 22:11-14)! We’ve fallen so short of God’s glory that though we’ve been saved by His grace, we still need to “be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you.” (2 Peter 1:10a). We still need to “be conformed to the image of His Son.” (Romans 8:31b). It has been said, “Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people.” Are you growing? Or merely going?
