Good Morning Friends,
Today’s readings draw a line between the Law of Moses and the coming Kingdom of God. They raise a question many of us wrestle with: How do we get to heaven, and what will it be like?
Scripture Passage With Brief Summary:
Leviticus 19:1–2, 11–18(God calls Israel to holiness expressed through ethical living—honesty, justice, compassion, and love for neighbor. Holiness is revealed in how we treat others.)
Matthew 25:31–46 (At the final judgment, Jesus separates people based on how they treated those in need. Caring for “the least of these” is caring for Christ himself.)
2 Peter 3:9 (God is patient, delaying judgment because he desires everyone to turn toward repentance and life.)
Philippians 1:20–26 (Paul wrestles between his desire to be with Christ after death and his calling to continue serving the church. Either way, his life’s purpose is to exalt Christ.)
Message: Scripture doesn’t give us a detailed blueprint, but it does give us a clear picture of the kind of life God desires now. Leviticus reminds us that holiness is not abstract—it is expressed in honesty, justice, compassion, and love for our neighbor. Jesus’ parable in Matthew confronts us with the truth that our faith is revealed in how we treat “the least of these.” Rituals and beliefs matter, but without love for the vulnerable, we miss the heart of God. Peter assures us that God’s desire is not to condemn but to bring all people to repentance. And Paul shows us that whether in life or death, our purpose is to exalt Christ through fruitful, loving service.There is mystery in what heaven will be like. Cultures imagine it differently, and even Christians hold diverse views. Yet most agree it is a place of peace, joy, and union with God—a reality we glimpse even now. In my early life up North the pastor in our church spoke more about hell rather than heaven, perhaps because he wanted us to take seriously the consequences of ignoring God’s call to love. While we wait for the fullness of God’s Kingdom, we practice heaven on earth. We love because Christ first loved us. We serve because Christ served us. We trust God with the future and give ourselves to mercy in the present.
And So, the Bible consistently points us toward two truths: We enter God’s Kingdom by God’s grace. God’s grace produces a transformed life. While our works don’t save us, they reveal whether God’s grace has taken root in us. So how do we get to heaven? By trusting in Jesus—repenting, believing, and receiving the life he offers. By allowing that trust to bear fruit in compassion, justice, and mercy. By living now in the love that will fill God’s Kingdom forever. Friends, heaven is the eternal life of God shared with us—a life we begin to practice here and now.
Pray that we repent, believe, and obey. Pray that our faith bears fruit in compassion for the most vulnerable. Pray that our roots sink deeply into Christ so that our lives reflect heaven’s love here and now.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 