Heaven on Earth
Devotions for Growing Christians
Heaven on Earth
It’s safe to say that most Christians have shared good-natured quips about how great heaven will be. The formula usually involves a favorite activity along with plush trimmings of gold:
“When I get to Heaven, I’ll be playing golf on perfect fairways with golden clubs…”.
“In Heaven, I’ll enjoy lying in a hammock on a golden beach in a Caribbean-like paradise…”
Yes, Heaven will be amazing. We often visualize our favorite activities, but just think of spending eternity with people like Abraham, Moses, David, Daniel, Peter, John, and Paul… not to mention Jesus!
That sounds awesome, but have you ever thought, "Wait a minute… what about spending eons with all those believers I don’t really get along with?!” What about that person at church who has opposite viewpoints on everything? Or that person who always sings way too loud and out of key? Or that person with the super annoying social media habits?
We won’t have an exclusive circle of friends in Heaven. We won’t be able to “hide” from any believers we didn’t really get along with here on earth. But it will be different then when we’re with the Lord, won’t it? We'll all love each other… right (gulp)? Yes, it’s true that things will be different in Heaven. So, in view of those thoughts, shouldn’t we be asking ourselves is, "If then, why not now?" If we’ll be able to get along with all our brothers and sisters in Heaven, why not get with the program while we’re on earth?
The writer to the Hebrews may have had these thoughts in mind in Hebrews 10:24-25 “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. Let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near” [emphasis added].
As the day of the Lord's return draws near, we’re told to relate to our fellow believers now. We shouldn’t play favorites with some, while dodging others. We should relate to other believers in the same way we will in eternity!
Hebrews 10:24-25 gives us three directives for relating to our fellow believers now. We should motivate one another (v24). We should meet together (v25). And we should encourage each other (v25). Let’s take a closer look at these directives.
Motivate
What does "motivate one another to acts of love and good works" mean? We can "motivate" or “provoke” another person in a positive or negative way. That may be the very reason why the writer used it here. The Hebrew believers may have been “provoking” one another wrongly - criticizing, holding grudges and arguing… and motivating negative actions and reactions. So they were urged to inspire one another in positive directions. No more back-biting and needling, it was time to motivate one another towards love and good works.
Does this advice apply to Christians today? Of course! We generally spend way too much time finding fault with other believers. Wouldn’t it be better if we could channel our energies into stimulating each other in positive ways? How can we do that?
Be an example
An obvious way we can motivate others is to set a good example ourselves. Good role models motivate others in a positive way. Opening your home for Bible studies or helping people in difficulty should inspire others to do the same. Spending time on weeknights or weekends helping in teen ministries will stimulate other believers. You don't have to broadcast to other believers what you’re doing for the Lord - they'll see it in action.
Commend
Another motivational technique is to compliment the positive things other believers are doing. Even if you’re not able to find much to praise, you can surely find something! Compliments go a long way towards encouraging people to further expressions of love and good deeds. Just a brief word of thanks may mean more than you will ever know.
Think
Motivating other believers is not always easy. That's why the phrase "think about" is used. This word in Greek emphasizes using your mind. God is telling us to plan out how we can stimulate fellow believers to greater expressions of love and good deeds. If at first we don't succeed, "think about" other ways!
Gather
“Let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do” (v25). Apparently, some of the Hebrews were not meeting with other believers. Why? In view of verse 26 and the overall historical context of Hebrews, the primary reason was that they were attracted to the colorful rituals of Judaism. Some were abandoning the fellowship altogether. Others in the church sought a lower profile because of increasing hostility towards Christians. Still others thought that they were spiritually superior. They didn’t value the help and fellowship of other believers. Finally, some were probably just lazy about involvement in the local fellowship.
It doesn't take much insight to see that many of the same rationalizations exist today. Why go to church when you can watch a more interesting preacher on YouTube? Why go to church and have your friends make fun of you? Why go to church when your work and social schedule is already overwhelming?
We need each other
The Hebrew believers who shunned the gatherings were wrong. They needed Christian fellowship. The author's point was not that all members must legalistically attend all church services. No, the point is that believers should relate to one another in fellowship so their Christian growth will not be stunted and incomplete.
We may not get along with everyone, and we may dislike some church programs, but we should regularly meet with fellow believers. We’ll never be 100% satisfied with any particular church or Christian group, but we can’t function as God intended apart from body life.
Demonstrate God’s eternal Wisdom
The Holy Spirit dwells within individual Christians (1 Corinthians 6:19), but the local church is also His Temple (1 Corinthians 3:16). According to Ephesians 3:10 and its context, God displays His infinite wisdom through His church, and through Christians who are gathered together. Our extra efforts to meet together will ensure that the fullness of God's plan is not hindered.
Encourage
A third characteristic of conduct among believers is taught in the second half of verse 25: encourage one another. The word "encourage" means to "come alongside" to help in time of need in a variety of forms. The same word is used of Christ as our Advocate or Defender (1 John 2:1) and of the Holy Spirit as Comforter, or Counselor, or Helper (1 Corinthians 16:7).
People are isolated
More than ever, Christians need encouragement. They’re increasingly isolated from their primary support group -- their natural families. Job transfers, marital breakups, parents retiring to different locations… these and many other reasons contribute to the feelings of loneliness in an unfriendly world. Believers must be prepared to fill in for missing family members, offering the support and encouragement of a natural family. Are we encouraging one another in this way?
People need comfort
Does someone need consolation because of recent misfortune? Look for others in need. Give a call. Write a note. Visit. Help that person with whatever is needed.
There are so many Christians in the church family who are experiencing difficulties. The monumental task of meeting all these needs shouldn’t be left to our church leaders. We should obey Scripture and begin to encourage one another. Does a Christian friend need counsel right now? Sharing from your own experience may be exactly what's needed.
Do you need encouragement? Don't be afraid to call another believer for help. In fact, asking for help stimulates fellow believers “to love and good deeds.” Your call for assistance may be the way God intends to motivate another believer.
The day of the Lord’s return is drawing near. Let that be a constant motivation for us. In view of His imminent return, let’s consider "especially now" how we can practice togetherness, be encouragers, and stimulate one another to love and good works.
- Dave Reid
(Updated 2022, Ron Reid)