Here and Now
From that time on Jesus began to proclaim His message with these words: “Keep turning away from your sins and come back to God, for heaven’s kingdom realm is now accessible.” Matthew 4:17 TPT
Insight
During His earthly ministry, Jesus repeatedly preached a clear message that we Christians often overlook: heaven is here! We often think of heaven as a faraway place in the clouds that we cannot live in until the day our hearts stop beating. However, Jesus preached that heaven is not simply a city in the sky—heaven is a state of being that we can experience today. Our Heavenly Father doesn’t want us to wait until our dying breath to encounter the joy of heaven. Because of what Jesus accomplished on the cross, we can participate in the kingdom of heaven right here, right now.
Any time we think, speak, or act in line with Christ’s Law of Love, we experience heaven. More importantly, we allow those around us to experience a touch of heaven, too. When we conduct ourselves as citizens of heaven, we make God’s glory and goodness evident—to ourselves and to those we meet. When we regularly embrace the values and priorities of God, heaven is at hand. When His concerns become our own, heaven is made manifest in our fallen world.
Simply put, living in heaven means living in-step with God. We can experience heaven here and now by turning away from the things that hurt us or another one of God’s beloved children.
Just as we can experience heaven while we live here on earth, we can experience hell, too. Experiencing hell on earth does not mean we step into a physical pit of fire and sulfur. Hell is, simply, a state of separation from God and the values that define His kingdom. When we choose to hold onto bitterness and refuse to forgive others, we experience hell. When we allow our idols and addictions to control us, we experience hell. When we become prideful and look down upon others, we experience hell.
God is graciously inviting us to live in the kingdom of heaven today. In His wonderful grace, He has given us the power and strength to choose goodness over brokenness. The very power that overcame sin and death lives within us. We can accept the invitation into heaven on earth because His Spirit empowers us.
It is a heavy reality, but with every decision we make, we are choosing to either draw near to God’s heart or surrender to the enemy. Thankfully, God has mercy for us when we choose to live apart from Him, rather than entering into His presence and abiding in His love. In our depravity, we so often choose evil over good. We choose to believe lies rather than live in the Truth. God knows how easy it is to be deceived and convinced that the kingdom of the world is better and more satisfying than the freedom He offers us. The professional liar is good at his job. But in His mercy, God calls our name again and again and invites us to step into heaven.
Reflection
In what ways are you choosing to live apart from God? What practical steps can you take to turn toward God and embrace heaven in the here and now?
Prayer
Gracious Father, thank You for making the joy of heaven accessible to me. In Your great mercy, give me the discipline to embrace the goodness of heaven today. Let me choose obedience over rebellion. Let me choose to extend kindness and grace to others, rather than being impatient and unforgiving toward them. Let me surrender to You and walk alongside You in glory. God, thank You for forgiving me, totally and immediately, when I choose to live apart from You. Thank You for inviting me to make my home in You, over and over and over. Thank You for never growing tired of my wayward heart, for chasing after me no matter how many times I run away from You. I love You, Father, and I thank You for the cross. Amen.
Port City writer Kate Redenbaugh wrote today’s devotional.