TwoCents | Heavenly Race: Heaven At First or Hell At Last

Perhaps what comes to mind when you think of a race is the 100 meter, 200 meter or marathon races held at the Olympic games every year. You are reminded of Usain Bolt, who was the fastest man in the world for nearly a decade. But more importantly, you are reminded that the winners get rewarded only if they reach the finish line before everyone else, while obeying all the rules of the game. With this image in mind, I have a question for you? Are we, as Christians, truly in a race to Heaven? And if so, is it one guided by the same principles that the Olympic games are guided by? The answer is NO! The story has never been about men who are sinful doing their utmost best, with all the strength their ability can afford them, to please a Holy God with high standards that only very few can and will meet. And at the end, receive everlasting life as a reward for their many troubles to please this "hard to please" God. NO! That's not the story of the Bible.. The Bible contrasts this at every turn claiming that no man can please God through their own strength.. Romans 3:10-12,18-20[10]As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:[11]There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.[12]They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.[18]There is no fear of God before their eyes.[19]Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.[20]Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. It's not just that man is sinful, it includes that man is incapable of pleasing God through their actions, because of a sinful nature they had from the time when they were conceived. David said..Psalms 51:5[5]Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. This sinfulness passed upon all men when the first man Adam sinned, condemning all of us to an eternity in hell.. Romans 5:12,19[12]Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:[19]For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners.. So, you can see that no man can please God.. at least not without God's help. See what the Bible says about Abraham.. Romans 4:1-5 KJVWhat shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? [2] For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. [3] For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. [4] Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. [5] But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. The reference made in Romans 4 was taken from Genesis 15:6 KJV"And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness." Note that the word "glory" as used in Romans 4 above means to "boast". Therefore the bible is here letting us know that Abraham couldn't make a boast about his righteousness seeing that he didn't earn it by his works, it came only by his faith in God. So, just as you can't boast about a thing you didn't work for, Abraham couldn't boast about a righteous that didn't come by His works. But note this, while it is clear that Abraham's works didn't make him righteous, he was righteous still.. how did that happen? The answer is "Grace". Romans 4:4-5 KJVNow to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. [5] But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Grace is God's divine mercy displayed in Christ Jesus towards sinful men and women of this world that they will be made righteous when they believe in God, just like Abraham, but this time by faith in the finished work of Christ Jesus. It's explained here.. Romans 3:23-25 KJVFor all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; [24] Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: [25] Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; The reality is simple, the human being is unrighteous and condemned until he meets Jesus, however the moment he hears the gospel and believes, his unrighteousness is cleansed through the blood of Jesus and he is translated from the domain of darkness to the kingdom of God's Son.. Ephesians 1: 7-91:7 in whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of offences, according to the riches of his grace;1:8 which he has caused to abound towards us in all wisdom and intelligence,1:9 having made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he purposed in himself Colossians 1:12-14[12]Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:[13]Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:[14]In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Romans 8:18:1 [There is] then now no condemnation to those in Christ Jesus. This is why the Bible calls Believers, in Christ Jesus, citizens of heaven and members of God's household even while we are still on earth.. Ephesians 2:19 So then ye are no longer strangers and foreigners, but ye are fellow-citizens of the saints, and of the household of God,... 3:14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father [of our Lord Jesus Christ],3:15 of whom every family in [the] heavens and on earth is named, Philippians 3:20-21[20]But we are citizens of the state (commonwealth, homeland) which is in heaven, and from it also we earnestly and patiently await [the coming of] the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) [as] Savior,[21]Who will transform and fashion anew the body of our humiliation to conform to and be like the body of His glory and majesty, by exerting that power which enables Him even to subject everything to Himself. If this "Heavenly Race" is described as a Race to the end, like is being practiced in the Olympics, where only a few ever get the reward, then it negates the divine design of attaining heavenly citizenship. God's desire is that all, not a few, will be saved. 1 Timothy 2:3-6[3]For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;[4]Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.[5]For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;[6]Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. You see, the concept of a "Heavenly Race", for the reasons above, is a logical fallacy. So at best, the Heavenly Race has to be measured based on scriptural principles where those who get the reward, of heavenly citizenship by eternal life through faith in the finished work of Christ, get it at the VERY BEGINNING.. Another reason why the Heavenly Race can't be likened to the Olympics is because, those who try to get the reward, heavenly citizenship, through their own actions are described as neglecting God's righteousness in a bid to establish theirs, cursed and heading towards destruction. Romans 10:1-4[1]BRETHREN, [with all] my heart's desire and goodwill for [Israel], I long and pray to God that they may be saved.[2]I bear them witness that they have a [certain] zeal and enthusiasm for God, but it is not enlightened and according to [correct and vital] knowledge.[3]For being ignorant of the righteousness that God ascribes [which makes one acceptable to Him in word, thought, and deed] and seeking to establish a righteousness (a means of salvation) of their own, they did not obey or submit themselves to God's righteousness.[4]For Christ is the end of the Law [the limit at which it ceases to be, for the Law leads up to Him Who is the fulfillment of its types, and in Him the purpose which it was designed to accomplish is fulfilled. That is, the purpose of the Law is fulfilled in Him] as the means of righteousness (right relationship to God) for everyone who trusts in and adheres to and relies on Him. Galatians 3:10-13[10]And all who depend on the Law [who are seeking to be justified by obedience to the Law of rituals] are under a curse and doomed to disappointment and destruction, for it is written in the Scriptures, Cursed (accursed, devoted to destruction, doomed to eternal punishment) be everyone who does not continue to abide (live and remain) by all the precepts and commands written in the Book of the Law and to practice them. [Deut. 27:26.][11]Now it is evident that no person is justified (declared righteous and brought into right standing with God) through the Law, for the Scripture says, The man in right standing with God [the just, the righteous] shall live by and out of faith and he who through and by faith is declared righteous and in right standing with God shall live. [Hab. 2:4.][12]But the Law does not rest on faith [does not require faith, has nothing to do with faith], for it itself says, He who does them [the things prescribed by the Law] shall live by them [not by faith]. [Lev. 18:5.][13]Christ purchased our freedom [redeeming us] from the curse (doom) of the Law [and its condemnation] by [Himself] becoming a curse for us, for it is written [in the Scriptures], Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree (is crucified); [Deut. 21:23.] In Conclusion. Jesus Christ is the end of the race to heaven for the man who chooses to have faith in Him for salvation; through His death for the nature of sin, burial and resurrection that have us a new life {Romans 6:1-10}. On the contrary, if you are proud claiming that your works of righteousness is what will take you to heaven, then you are headed towards destruction because you have fallen from Grace {Galatians 5:1-4} So it's either you got heaven at the very beginning of your walk with God and are seated with God {Ephesians 2:5,6} or you will end up in hell because of your pride and unwillingness to accept God's Grace in Christ Jesus. I expect that this will be a lot to take in, considering you have been told lies all your life by those who have been sent to teach you the truth.. Notwithstanding, you should give glory to God for the truth that has come your way now. And accept it with all your heart so you may live your new life to its full capacity, without being hindered in your walk. As always,Your Bishop.Wilson Uzoeto. The New Creation Has Come.

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