“And Abraham died at a good old age, after a long and happy life. He breathed his last and, upon dying, was gathered to his ancestors” (Genesis 25:8).
Look, if we cultivate a heart detached from the things here and understand that our true home is in the invisible, we will live in this world as those who are just passing through. Our citizenship is in heaven! Death, then, will not be a sad farewell to those we love, nor a leap into the unknown. On the contrary, it will take us to a place of even stronger bonds, where the sheep gather close to one another, right next to the only Shepherd who guides us.
Friends, listen well: there is only one way to guarantee our place in heaven – to believe and obey. Believe that Jesus is the Son sent by the Father and obey the powerful Law of that Father. It’s not enough to just say you love Jesus; you have to live what He taught. Many speak of love but ignore the commandments of the Father of Jesus, and this distances them from the great prize of eternal life.
Brothers, do not be deceived! True faith goes hand in hand with obedience. When we truly believe and follow the steps God has given us, our journey here gains meaning, and heaven ceases to be a distant dream – it becomes our certainty. Live as citizens of heaven, because that is where we are headed! -Adapted from Alexander Maclaren. Until tomorrow, if the Lord allows us.
Pray with me: Dear God, I come before You with a heart that desires to detach from the things of this world, understanding that my true home is in the invisible, where I am a citizen of heaven, just passing through here. I confess that sometimes I cling to what I see, fearing death as a loss, but I want to see it as a path to stronger bonds, drawing closer to Your sheep and to You, my only Shepherd.
My Father, today I ask You to give me faith to believe that Jesus is Your sent Son and a heart to obey Your powerful Law, for I know that this is the only way to guarantee my place in heaven. Teach me not only to speak of love but to live what Jesus taught, following Your commandments with fidelity, so that I do not stray from the great prize of eternal life. I ask that You guide me to unite my faith with obedience, making me a true citizen of Your kingdom.
Oh, Most Holy God, I adore and praise You for promising eternal life to those who believe and obey, transforming heaven from a distant dream into my certainty when I live as Your faithful sheep. Your beloved Son is my eternal Prince and Savior. Your powerful Law is the bridge to my home. Your commandments are the map of my faith. I pray in the precious name of Jesus, amen.
