March 12, 2024 – This is Not Paradise

“But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. I do not even judge myself. I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive commendation from God.” 1 Corinthians 4:3-5

“Here’s the real-life, street-level issue: if you don’t keep the eyes of your heart focused on the paradise that is to come, you will try to turn this poor fallen world into the paradise it will never be. In the heart of every living person is the longing for paradise. We all have this longing, even when we are not aware of it, because it was placed there by our Creator. He has placed eternity in each one of our hearts.” (“New Morning Mercies”, March; Paul David Tripp)

When you forget to keep your eyes on the prize that is to come, you may just fall victim to trying to turn this moment, this place you reside in to something it can never be. Think with me for a second. Your job will not be the paradise you long for. Your friendships will not be the paradise your heart craves. The world around you will not function like paradise. Your children will not deliver paradise to you. Even your church and your pastor will never live up to standards some hope to see in this world.

All the things that disappoint you now are placed in your midst to remind you that this world is not all that will ever be. We should have a longing for the paradise that is to come. The dreams that die, the people who disappoint, the plans that fail are to remind you that this is not paradise. The sin that captivates you and the world that fails so many should remind you that this is not paradise.

When the thief on the one side of Jesus asks to be remembered when Jesus enters into the Kingdom, Jesus does not say “Your paradise is all around you.”  Instead he says “Today you will be with me in paradise.”

Remember, the paradise Jesus promises will come to all of us one day – so we need to keep our eyes on the prize.

Pastor Dave