6/15 Your Place in Heaven – Sunday Cuppa with Susanne
I just stood there, amazed at the words I thought I had heard from the speaker’s comments!
“Yes, anything not done for the church or having to do with evangelism will be swept away with the wood, hey and stubble,” he had replied. He then went on to quote: “Your place in heaven will be based on what you have accomplished for the church.”
Other questions continued on different topics so there was not time for a question on his answer ….but I hugely, overwhelmingly disagree! What about all those people who have obeyed Jesus and gone into the secular world, following his will? ….or those sitting behind a reception desk because that was His choice for their working world? Then single parents who have to put the meals on the table and can’t afford Bible college or working for the (generous?) church?
I remember one story very clearly that would cause that speaker to stop and reconsider:
Sally wasn’t ready for the death of her husband and eldest son on that dark, raining night. She was left with caring for the remaining 3 children and her husband’s elderly parents. As she prayed about the situation, the Lord opened the door to work in a printing office as a receptionist.
Her boss soon recognised her gifting in sorting out problems and finding answers to their printing problems. When the business had to down-size, the Lord told Sally to stay with the job, even though it meant a pay cut.
In the following years, Sally became the backbone of the failing business. With their last final 
business deal and bankruptcy facing them, the boss finally tossed in the towel and left the country, taking most of the remaining business profits with him.
So when Sally stands with Jesus and His opens the ‘scrapbooks of her life’, what will she be given credit for? I am very sure He will not say “…because you did nothing for the church….no rewards!”
All this calls into question “What is the purpose of our time here on Earth?” Some day we will all stand either with Jesus, received the rewards of our work on Earth ….or stand with the enemy of mankind and follow Satan into his reward. That’s one of the reasons for this time on this little dirt-ball called Earth – to make a choice for eternity’s destiny.
…but please notice, you will never, never stand before a judgemental, angry God for your actions on Earth if you have worked through your ‘scrapbook’ with Jesus. Only those who reject Him will face the fearful presence of almighty God at the Great White Throne Judgement seat!
….but I get sidetracked.
So the purpose of life here on Earth….?
Shakespeare was right when he said “…all the world’s a stage and we are players on that stage”. Choice makes that so. All along we have said that God is a God of love and righteousness. He will use His measuring stick for us. What is that ‘measuring stick’? How much have we allowed Him to conform us to the image of Jesus…….
Sally first off will be commended for her ‘hear and obey’ faith. She wanted a better paying job with better benefits but Jesus knew her gifting and wanted her to develop all the skills she was capable of showing. She learned problem solving, management skills, conflict resolution, budging, personal management and hundreds of other skills to take into eternity with her.
That’s not even beginning to list the challenges and overcoming skills she learned as a sole parent. Her responsibilities were placed before her by the Lord and she obeyed, sought Him for strength and wisdom. How can anyone say she will not be rewarded for all these things she learned while here on her 70-90 years on Earth
No, her service was not directly used by ‘the church’ but her tithing, her dedication to the Lord was shown in other ways. Working for the ‘church’ is not the only place to follow Jesus. Your reward is determined by this: whatever you do, where ever His leads you, if you are obedient 
to His voice, He recognises your input into His kingdom.
No, I’m not saying it isn’t important to work for the church but there is a common misconception that work for the church is somehow ‘sacred’ while working in the secular world is defiled or not held in such high honour. This will not be the measuring stick Jesus uses.
Then the other very important point – eternity will be so far beyond our wildest imagination. I am so very sure we aren’t going to spend forever and forever, just sitting under a tree signing God’s praises with the angels. His presence is everywhere!
I am constantly amazed that scientist cannot say “This is the edge of space, 300,000 light years out.” Then if you’re a Star Trek fan, even Voyager didn’t find the edge of space! The point is, His presence is out there too. He created the huge, unimaginable vastness of space ….why?
I think He is going to pick up His plans He had for Adam and Eve, to rule Earth, the solar system and the whole, whole universe. We can praise Him out there just as much as sitting before His throne. Time and space will be no more.
Perhaps a small group will be given to Sally and her organizational skills and told to go and re-design the Milky Way into a Garden of Eden. ….or turn Saturn into another version of paradise. ….or populate a far out planet we haven’t even heard of…..
I trust you will be there with me in eternity to see if I am right. If so, come and take a 1000 year journey into the galaxy and say “You were right Susanne! I’m glad I listened.”
So please, this is one of my strongest please, continue with your walk of obedience with Lord; follow and obey Him! We have the whole of eternity upon eternity, time without end to reap the benefits of what you learn here on Earth. Don’t listen to the lies of the enemy. Choose to live this life for a higher cause….obedience where ever that leads you.
Susanne Fengler, Blog Author
www.christianfoundations.jesus-treeoflife.info
PS You will also find a copy of this Sunday Cuppa’ on www.hearinggod.mentorsnotebook.com/blog
Tags: Cuppa - Ervice to the Church?
Filed under: Challenges to the Christian Faith, Sunday Cuppa' with Susanne, Susanne's top posts
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