** This response is biblically sound and personable. It answers the question directly and completely, provides scriptural support, and explains things clearly. The tone is genuinely kind and the response offers encouragement based on the possible concern behind the question. **
Question: Why don’t we go to heaven immediately after getting saved?
Profile: None given
Answered by: Eric Reaves, who has been a volunteer with us since September, 2017.
Answer: Thank you for asking this question and I hope I can encourage you by offering you a response that is biblically sound. The hope of heaven is a wonderful reward for the Christian, but heaven itself is not our highest treasure. The glory of Christ fills all things including the purposes for which His people persevere through a fallen world. Since Christ is truly our highest treasure, we can seek to attain to His fullness as we bear testimony to His name on this earth – for His glory.
Your question resonates in our hearts regarding our longing to be with Christ (Romans 8:22-24). The apostle Paul was very transparent to express his desire to be with Christ and yet he realized the great purpose that God had for his earthly life (Philippians 1:22-24). Basically, Paul realized that God’s grace sustained his earthly life so that others would be strengthened with the hope of the gospel.
Christians are the “salt and light” of the earth in that God uses His people to influence a dark and sinful world (Matthew 5:12-14). The temporary suffering that accompanies a Christian’s life in the here and now are not worth comparing to future the glory that is being revealed (2 Corinthians 4:17-18). Therefore, we are not transported to our heavenly reward immediately when we are born again. Why? Because God’s grace is being revealed to all mankind, the cosmos, and to the rulers of the kingdom of the air, so that all creation will see the sufficiency of His grace in the redemption of His people (Ephesians 2:6; 3:10). “The immeasurable riches of God’s grace toward us in Christ” are put on display through our human weakness being made strong in Him alone.
The curse of the Fall brought death as a result of man’s rebellion against God. Every human being henceforth has walked the path of death. However, the hope of the gospel that was declared to Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:15) has been accomplished through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Therefore, death no longer has mastery over the Christian life. Christ holds the keys of death and hades and opens the way to eternal life through His name. This is the hope in which a Christian stands and endures (Ephesians 1:18).
Stand firm knowing that God does not waste our longing for heaven. Every tear, every sigh, every expectation of glory is being worked for the Christian’s good (Romans 8:28). There is something so valuable about God’s people living through these last days that, by the Spirit, we can endure til the end.
Short answer: Our salvation is worked out on this earth to show the glory of God’s grace and the hope of our redemption in this present age. This brings God glory.
Perhaps you are experiencing the grief of suffering or you are wondering what purpose our human lives have. Remind yourself of how God works in human history to display His grace, compassion, mercy, and love. Those who are truly overcomers, are those who endure by God’s strength until the end. And heaven is a glorious reward for those who trust in Him. Please feel free to submit a follow-up question regarding any specific reason that you asked your question. I would love to encourage you more.
Eric
