What is involved in our Fitness for heaven?
( page 5 of 9 )
Image #1
Our Fitness for heaven ( Sanctification )
Let not the idea prevail for a moment that a man’s power to command high wages is a measure of his value in the sight of God….But heaven’s books register his worth in proportion to the good he has accomplished with the means he has had entrusted to him.[1]
In the fear and love of God, with his talents wholly sanctified to advance the glory of God; man….will show his true value. Only when the reward is given to every man as his work shall be estimated in the judgment, can it be known how much he has sent before him to heaven.[1]
So, you are sending something to heaven, by giving of your means (money) to the cause and using your talents for God.
The Talent of Means: Often the talent of means is laid away, hidden and unused. Money lying idle in banks is regarded by the Lord as a buried talent. God desires his followers to use the talent of means in his service. We should do our part in helping to carry forward the different lines of his work in all parts of the earth. A great work is to be done in the cities. Camp-meetings are to be held in many places.[2]
Those who have means may multiply their talent by using it to help support laborers in proclaiming the message of truth for this time. When through this instrumentality someone is led to accept the truth, our talent is doubled. And when this convert brings others into the truth, there is still further increase of talents. Those who double their talents in the work of saving souls, bring joy to the angels and call forth songs of praise from the heavenly choir.[2]
Image #2
What else are we to be doing on this Earth, during our probationary time?
Every opportunity to help a brother in need, or to aid the cause of God in the spread of the truth, is a pearl that you can send beforehand, and deposit in the bank of heaven for safe keeping.…Every such opportunity improved adds to your heavenly treasure.[3]
This bible commentary just said that: helping people in need and spreading the truth for the cause of God, is like a pearl that you can send beforehand and deposit into the bank of heaven!
Matt 10 (v. 42) ....whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water....he shall by no means lose his reward.
An example of what is going beforehand, to be deposited into the bank of heaven!
What is going into the bank of heaven.pd[...]
Adobe Acrobat document [110.0 KB]
Luke 14 (v. 12) When you give a dinner....do not ask your friends....nor your rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. (v. 13) But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind.
(v. 14) And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just.
Image #3
Another thing that we are to be doing, while we are still alive on this earth?
[ Apostle ] Paul enumerates the precious gifts to be desired, and exhorts the brethren: .…Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in un-certain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.[4]
So, we are to trust in the living God, rather than in our own riches.
[ he also says ] .…that they do good, that they be rich in good works,…laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come,…Here is a wise and perfectly safe investment; good works are here specified and recommended for our practice,…Here are profits that are valuable….A treasure may be secured in heaven, a constant accumulation….[4]
Doing good works for Christ, is like a wise investment, accumulating profits, that we are laying up in store for ourselves in heaven, like a treasure.
Luke 6 (v. 35) ....love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Highest.
What Else is going beforehand, to be deposited into the bank of heaven!!
What Else is going into the bank of heav[...]
Adobe Acrobat document [154.9 KB]
And finally, during our lifetime, before it’s too late?
.…[ Christ ] was going to prepare a place for them, that He might come again, and receive them unto Himself. While He was building mansions for them, they were to build characters after the divine similitude.[5]
We are to be building up christian characters, to be like Jesus.
Now, there is an interesting relationship between the two; while He was building mansions for them, they were to be building-up their characters at the same time.
References:
1. Selected Messages (book 2), p.193, par.1
2. Atlantic Union Gleaner (16 Sep 1903) “A wise use of our talents” par.6
3. Christian Service, p.221-222, par.3 ( 3T, p.249 )
4. Testimonies for the Church (vol.1), p.692-693, par.2
5. The Desire of Ages, p.663, par.1
Image #1: Francis Chan, Worship Gifs (2017). Nothing you do in this life will ever matter unless it is about loving God and the people He has made. Retrieved from https://www.pinterest.com/pin/350858627197452550
Image #2: RussBlogs, (2015). A pearl in Jesus hands. Retrieved from https://www.liveinternet.ru/users/5634411/rubric/5421035/
Image #3: imgflip.com, (n.d.). Treasures in Heaven. Retrieved from https://imgflip.com/i/1z4kgb
Print 