From my reading in Colossians 3 in the One Year Bible New Testament.

 Don’t try to make heaven on earth for yourself.

I have found myself being too focused on making this life perfect. Whenever money is tight or I have a conflict I feel my world is falling apart but the truth is that no matter how hard I try there will always problems.

The good news for Christians is that we do have a perfect place to look forward to.

An eternal focus give us hope for our problems today and frees us up to serve Jesus fully.

Looking forward to heaven it puts our priorities in the right place. The things that are going to last eternally are the things that matter most. Paul gives some principles about the power of living with an eternal focus.

1. Focus the realities of heaven, not the things of earth.

“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.” Col 3:1-2

 We need to realize that “Heaven is for real!”

Heaven is a real place. It is a place with no sin, sadness or pain. It is a place where we will experience the unfiltered presence of Jesus. That is something to look forward to!

The reason most people don’t look really forward to heaven is because they have an unbiblical view of it.

Many people picture heaven as a place were everyone is transformed into a diaper wearing, harp playing, cloud riding, BABY!

Actually heaven is a real physical place where we will have real bodies. We will be busy worshiping, working and enjoying fellowship with others. Heaven will be life as God originally intended it!

2. Realize that “real life” is found only in Christ.

” For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.” Col 3:3

You are not of this world.

As Christians we must make a choice to die to this life. We don’t live for life on this earth because our real life is found with Christ in Heaven. This life is the dress rehearsal before the real play.

Our time here on this earth is way shorter that the time we will spend in eternity. How foolish is it to spend all our time and effort making this tiny about of time great and not invest in where you will spend eternity.

3. Look forward to sharing in Christ’s glory.

“And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.”  Col 3:4

When Christ comes back we will share in his glory!  What does that mean?

It means that when Christ is honored we will be honored with him. Not because of what we have done but because of his sacrifice for us. We can look forward to that great day of celebration.

Have you been trying to make heaven on earth or are you focusing your attention on living for eternity?

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