How Should We Live Our Lives Here On Earth?
How should we live our lives is not an easy question to answer. Or is it? Whenever I am faced with such questions I always ask the One who has all the answers. Of course, I'm referring to Jesus the Christ, our LORD, Creator and Savior.
What does Jesus say? Well, I believe He gives us a hint in the Lord's prayer, or some call it the Apostle's prayer, which says: Matt 6:9-13 "Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
What does the phrase: "Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven" really mean? Could it be that we will have a "taste of heaven on earth" when we do His will?
The LORD requires that His will be done on earth. But how do we know His will and how do we do His will? The LORD's prayer tells us how; it is, "as it is in heaven". Have you heard the expression: "This is just like heaven on earth?"
Upon viewing the Grand Canyon or the mountains in Austria, the spectacular sights can move the observer to make such a statement. Nature is so beautiful and the trip is so pleasurable, it may give the traveler the idea that heaven may very well be comparable to this spectacle on earth.
See what Paul says in Romans 1:18-20 about the evidence
in the earth and the sky so that people have no excuse at all for not knowing
God. Rom 1:18-20 "For the truth about God is known to them instinctively.
God has put this knowledge in their hearts. From the time the world was
created, people have seen the earth and sky and all that God made. They
can clearly see his invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine
nature. So they have no excuse whatsoever for not knowing God".
One major factor left out here, that assures the experience
is perfect, is being in the presence of the Holy One, Jesus the Christ
in heaven every day.
Back to the knowledge of God's will, and an obedience to it. Both knowledge and obedience come through prayer, Scripture study and an old-fashion talk with Jesus. These steps will give us some comprehension of what the LORD's will is for us in heaven.
The many areas of our lives where we must consider the
LORD's will are almost endless. To list a few:
Spiritual Items
Everyday Elements
Worship of Jesus
Clothing selection
Love God with our whole heart, mind and soul
Care of our property
Love our neighbor as our-self
How do we work?
How do we Love our enemy?
How do we play?
How do we consider people equally? What
do we eat?
How do we spend time with Jesus?
For what knowledge do we strive?
and we could go on and on.
Some subjects won't be a concern in heaven. For example: suffering, grief, what church to go to, etc. Jesus has assured us that there will be no more tears or suffering in heaven. There will only be one church in heaven with Jesus as the Great High Priest, King of Kings and LORD of LORDs. He will continue to be omnipotent (all powerful) and omniscient (all knowing) and all authority will come from Him.
However, we will all have meaningful work and roles under His direction in Heaven. In one of His parables, Jesus said in Luke 19:17: "And he said to him, 'Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.' This indicates a type of reward that will be given to some of us in heaven. Also, Paul tells us in 1 Cor 6:2-3: "Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Do you not know that we shall judge angels?" This type of work speaks for itself and is very appealing.
Let's take a trip back for an instant to the Old Testament book of Joshua 1:6-9. The LORD said to Joshua 3500 years ago, as He tells us today: "Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them (For the Israelites the land was Israel; for us today the land (The Place) is heaven). Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you (Do what the LORD said: do His will); do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law (Our Bible) shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success (By doing God's will). ……. do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."
When Jesus returns, all of the New Heaven and New Earth will still belong to Him but He promised to prepare a place for us, (John 14:2) for each of us. Can you picture these superb, perfect accommodations? I can imagine that they will be excellent and first class. There will be fruit trees, so we will enjoy meals. You have never tasted fruit like heaven's fruit. Jesus said there are jobs to do and rewards for our work.
Let His will be done conscientiously by me and others, not our own will, the will of the flesh, or the mind, nor the will of men, much less Satan's will, that we may never displease God in any thing we do, whether it be here on earth and in heaven.
There will be times every day in eternity when we will come into the glorious presence of Jesus and dance and sing to His glory and worship Him as He deserves. We pray that earth may be made more like heaven by the observance of God's will (this earth, which through the prevalence of Satan's will, has become so near akin to hell), and that saints (true believers in Christ) may be made more like the holy angels in their devotion and obedience.
We need to make up our minds, hearts and souls, then worship Jesus here on earth just as we will in heaven according to His will. How then shall we worship Jesus while we are here on earth? Pray to Jesus at the start of the day, at the end of the day and all through the day as we are directed by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will guide us in our worship of Jesus and in doing His will here on earth.
Dr. Charles Stanley helps with this additional information.
"Determining which way to turn does not have to be a mystery for the believer.
By asking systematic questions, we can align our decisions with
God's plan and purpose for our life. In other words, no matter what we
are involved in, whether it concerns family, finances, relationships, health
or faith, our continual thought should be: Jesus, what would You have
me do? What is the wise course of action? Let's look at those systematic
questions and use them when we are making large or small decisions for
our life.
1. Is it consistent with the Bible?
2. Is this a wise decision?
3. Can I honestly ask God to enable
me to achieve this?
4. Do I have a genuine peace about
this?
5. Does this fit who I am as a follower
of Jesus?
6. Does this fit God's overall plan
for my life?
7. Will this decision honor God?
The words in the phrase are "…on earth as it is in heaven." That means we should behave here on earth just as we will in heaven for all eternity. In other words, we pray that earth may be made more like heaven by our observance of God's will.
We should pray: enable me to do what is pleasing to You (Jesus); give me that grace that is necessary for the right knowledge of Your will, and an acceptable obedience to it. We should further pray that Jesus teaches us His will for all heavenly issues. If we totally follow His teaching, we will question everything we do here on earth to determine if we are truly doing Jesus' will.
Simply PRAY!
P-Praise Him.
R-Repent from our sin.
A-Ask Him for His will for us.
Y-Yield to Him: We should do as the Holy Spirit leads us.
In the Service of Christ Jesus, our God, Creator and Savior.
Fred Clearance @ ProJesus
