Freed from Sin and Bound for Heaven

The apostle famous for writing the majority of the New Testament letters was Paul. A man turned from the persecutor to the persecuted. He was changed from the evangelized to the evangelist. Add to that, he was one who was transformed from sinner doomed for eternal torment to saved bound for the promised land.

It was this man who wrote down these words, "Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him" (Rm. 6:6-8). Did you catch it? The sinner is dead, gone, and destroyed. Therefore, the new man is freed from sin and on his way to live with Him who came to seek and save the lost, and that for all eternity.

You would think that with these words, every Christian would live confidently from day to day with the assurance that they are on their way home. Sadly, there are a number of Christians who live in doubt. That is, they are uncertain as to the eternal home of their soul. You may be one of those individuals. If so, let me share with you some things to put in your heart. In so doing, you can have the daily confidence that you are "Bound for Heaven."

Live the Spirit-filled Life

Having been made free from sin, I now live according to the Spirit of God. What does it mean to live the Spirit-filled life? To the church at Rome Paul wrote, "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God" (Rm. 8:14-16).To live the Spirit-filled life is to live according to the Holy Spirit inspired word of God. Did you pay attention to the words above--The Spirit (Holy Spirit) beareth witness with our spirit?" What did Paul mean? Paul is saying that when the Holy Spirit tells us to do something through His Word, and we then do it, then the Holy Spirit has born witness with our spirit.

If I'm living the Spirit-filled life, then I will have the following characteristics in my life: "the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance" (Gal. 5:22-23).

If I will live the Spirit-filled life, then I can know that I'm bound for Heaven.

Learn to Work Through Problems

As I read Romans 8, I observe that every Christian will have problems. In the last twenty verses or so of this text are words like "suffering," "vanity," "corruption," "pain," "groaning," "tribulation," "distress," and "persecution." In some twenty verses there are more than ten references to the fact that Christians will suffer.

While it's true that we will sometimes suffer despair, it is how we deal with it that really counts. James tells us that our suffering produces patience or steadfastness. What's encouraging in all of this is the assurance that we can make it through whatever trial that life throws at us. In particular, there are two things that give me strength to face the obstacles of life with confidence.

First, there's the hope that I can overcome. By "hope" I mean "desire and expectation." Paul said, For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it" (Rm. 8:24-25).

Second, there's the help I get from God to over- come the greatest of hurdles. Again Paul encourages us with these words, "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rm. 8:37-39).

As I learn to work through problems, then I have the confidence that I'm bound for heaven.

Let God Lead You to Eternal Life

God directs us to heaven by the use of a divine map--a plan if you will. His promise is if we will stay the course, and work the plan, then we can daily live with the assurance that heaven will one day be our home.

God calls us his "chosen generation," his "royal priesthood," and his "holy nation" (2 Pt. 2:9-10). With adjectives like that, who can help but live with the confidence of knowing that we are bound for heaven!

Building Up America

During the Revolutionary War, one of America's founding fathers said, "these are strange and troublesome times." The time in which you and I are living are in deed troubling. Troubling because we are at war. War time is the time which can "try men's souls."

Charles Dickens is famous for the words, "it was the best of times, and it was the worst of times." Though I would not say these are the "worst of times," I would agree that today America is certainly being challenged. How can we, as the church, build up America?

We can build up America through prayer.

Charlie Britnell said, "Prayer is the greatest contribution which Christians can make to our national security. Prayer moves the hand that rules the universe. The Christian's influence offers more national protection than all the military might, missiles, and nuclear arsenals of history's most powerful nation." Paul the apostle reminds us of the value of prayer for our nation and leaders when he says, "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty" (1 Tm. 2:1-2).

We can build up America through personal evangelism.

Until we truly believe that the world is lost, and appreciate the fact that we are the vessels that God must use to reach the lost, the world will stay lost. Charles Box said, "Indifference is the area of personal evangelism that is probably the chief weakness of Christianity as it faces times like these." Consider these words: "And when I think that God His Son not sparing,Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,He bled and died to take away my sins."

Jesus said, "Go ye...and teach all nations..." Brethren, "Go ye" means "Go ME."

We can build up America through Christian's.

One Christian can make a difference. We must keep in mind that "Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people" (Prov. 14:34). Johnny Ramsey once said, "Let me tell you a secret, all the politicians in America put together, all the soldiers in uniform around the world, and all the bombs and missiles and bayonets and soldiers, don't compare with the power of one devoted Christian, and the blessing they can give to the kingdom of God and the world at large."

Though these may be "strange and troublesome times," we can help America overcome if we will recognize the power of prayer, reach people through evangelism, and realize that we, as individual Christian's can make a difference.

Elders Will Receive a Special Crown

The greatest work this side of heaven is preaching. The greatest office held is the eldership. The preacher is told he will receive a crown of righteousness--and that along with every faithful Christian (2 Tm. 4:8). But the elders will receive a different crown. Their crown will be a crown of glory (2 Pt. 5:4).

There is no question in my mind that when we enter the timeless side of eternity, there will be degrees of reward and punishment. Take punishment for instance. The Bible says, that it will be more tolerable for some than for others: Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city (Mt. 10:15).But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you (Mt. 11:22).

As for degrees of reward, consider some practical observations. Will a baby go to heaven? Yes. Has that baby ever known the heartache of loss, or dealt with difficulty? No. Has a faithful Christian adult known difficulties, loss, temptation? In deed. Who do you suppose will appreciate heaven more? Here's another one for you. Do Americans know great wealth and riches? Generally speaking, yes they do. Do Africans living in third world conditions (huts, wearing rags), know the same wealth? No. If an American is a faithful Christian, and an African is a faithful Christian, and if both are going to heaven, will they enjoy it? Yes. Who do you suppose will appreciate it more?

So you see, there are degrees of reward for those who die in the Lord. The same is true with respect to elders. An elder who has done well is promised a a crown (stephanos) of glory (doxa). Theirs will be a crown of dignity, glory and honor. Christians are promised a crown (stephanos) of righteousness (dikaiosune). Every faithful Christian will receive a badge that serves as a symbol of justification.

Both Christians and elders will receive rewards--figurative crowns. But oh what a reward for faithfully carrying out the office of the eldership awaits elders who have done well. May God bless our elders, and may they strive for that crown. Let's all labor here, so that we can all be rewarded there.