Spoiler Alert: God doesn't save us to go to heaven!

Okay I'm sure my title has grabbed your attention.

If you're offended, please stay with me for a short while and hear what I have to say, because even if you've been taught differently, I want to share with you what the Bible actually says about us being saved.

If you've been taught Jesus came so you can go to heaven, I'm sorry but you haven't been told the whole truth. I think this part-truth, is sadly why so many people wait to seek forgiveness from God until their death bed, or just ignore salvation altogether, believing life with God is no fun and lacks purpose.

But this couldn't be further from the truth, as the truth is God does not save us just to go to heaven.

Now if I've started your mind spinning, just keep reading...

You see, many, many people have heard...God saves us so we can go and be with Him in heaven. This is why many children ask, “But what will we do forever in heaven?” and many adults have no answer.

Yet the truth is Jesus saves us to make us a child of God, because we do not begin life as one...We begin life separated from God by sin which is why WE MUST HAVE a spiritual re-birth. It is the blessed Holy Spirit who makes us heirs to God's Kingdom which is to come HERE ON EARTH when Jesus returns, and as children of God we are saved to serve our Father and King in His redeeming work.

If we die before Jesus returns, yes we will rest in heaven, but if not, we will be transformed in the blink of an eye to receive our immortal bodies, along with every other child of God and we will inherit the NEW EARTH.

So no, we are NOT SAVED just to go to heaven for eternity. This is simply not biblical.

'In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.' 1 Corinthians 15:52.

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,

“See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.” Revelation 21:1-4.

When Jesus returns, sin and the enemy, will be dealt with for the final time. Now is the time for us as His children to share this truth, so others can also become children of God.

We are saved to partner with God as His children in His Kingdom work...what an amazing purpose this truly is and this is the truth people need to hear! God saves us and transforms us, making us fit for His work while we await His return.

Titus says this truth so clearly:

'For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds. Titus 2:11-14.

'For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, despicable, hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is sure.

I desire that you insist on these things, so that those who have come to believe in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works; these things are excellent and profitable to everyone.' Titus 3:3-9.

Did you know God has a purpose and plan for His Kingdom work to begin here and now before He returns? That this is the role His children have as His heirs? That salvation is not just to fit us for heaven?

Love Melanie.

Let me leave you with Casting Crowns, 'Glorious Day'.