The American Dream and the Good Life

Ultimately, all of the great American heroes were after one thing: The American Dream.  George Washington sought freedom.  Benjamin Franklin sought independence.  Thomas Jefferson sought security.  Alexander Hamilton sought financial freedom.  Abraham Lincoln sought unity.  Martin Luther King, Jr. sought equality.  They all had a vision that together we can call the American Dream.  The American dream was broad in its vision, and they all saw the United States as being a beacon for the whole world, an ideal for all the oppressed to hold to.

                However, over time, the American dream evolved.  It has been taken up by advertisers, real estate agents, television shows, and cigarette manufacturers.  Rather than being a quality of life, it has taken on the characteristics of a particular kind of life—a life of a certain economic level, a certain kind of work, a certain level of materialism. 

Freedom

The freedom of the enlightenment idealists was originally an opportunity for everyone to reach to their highest moral and spiritual self.  But our society has taken this freedom to be to partake in the lowest common denominator of pornography, greed, violence, covetousness and gluttony, while causing only a limited amount of harm to others.  Limiting the freedom to live to people in other countries, or limiting the ability to sustain one's life in order to give a few freedom to partake in more personal vice is the call of freedom for today.

 

Equality

The ideal of the American dream is that of equality, so that all are treated with fairness and justice, no matter what society or culture or race they are in.  Now equality is meant to limit one’s choices to hundreds of channels on television, but if someone wants to live an alternative lifestyle, they are punished by having their children taken away from them.  God forbid that anyone should choose to be poor or live a life of restriction for God!

Financial security

The financial security envisioned is that of living according to one’s own means, at whatever level that means.  But this has been transformed to greed, with even the poor wondering what they have done wrong to fail to obtain the riches promised them.  The wealthy, meanwhile, must keep a serving class of minimum-wage workers (or below minimum wage) in order to maintain their wealth.  The greed of the ruling culture is based on the poverty of the lower class.

Luxury

The comfort of the idealists was equally realized in Thomas Jefferson, the inventor and (writer of Walden), the creator of the simple life.  There was a variety of lifestyles which kept one at peace with one’s environment and society.  But our society has taken comfort to be that of material comfort, with a minimum of physical effort for that life.  This has turned into a culture of entitlement, where we don’t just hope for a materialist lifestyle, but expect it and think that we all deserve it.

Freedom of employment

To have work is to be able to be self-sustaining, to pay for one’s own life and family, whatever lifestyle that might be.  But now, in order to obtain the lifestyle of greed, we must go the avenue of seeking the patronage and goals of one whose purpose in life is to make money, which he promises to share some sparse percentage of with the one whom he employs.  We are trapped in a job ethic that we hate, but we cannot escape.

 

Democratic ideal

The democratic ideal that was originally held is rule by the people for the sake of the people.  But somehow this has been translated to a plutocratic republic—where the only “people” who rule are the wealthy, for the sake of the wealthy.  Then this ideal of government is imported to other nations when the “people” there don’t want this form of democracy, but a religious republic. 

Security

The Constitution says that the United States must “provide for the common defense”.  Yet this “defense” has become a military complex and society that shapes the rest of the country in support of it’s world-wide mission to promote American welfare.  The result of this is a constant fear to those who want to limit American influence to its own country, even if they have no violent intent.

Happiness

Ideally, Thomas Jefferson wrote, the American dream is the freedom to pursue happiness.  But the American dream today is not the pursuit of happiness, but the direct injection of it.  All we want for our children is that they be “happy”.  But happiness is found so much easier in an injection, mental health meds, alcohol, television or escapist novels.  The harder to obtain, but more content-producing happiness of service, charity, peacemaking and working for God isn’t sought first or even primarily.  They are small parts of our life that we gladly surrender when more direct happiness appears or is offered by our cable companies, drug dealers or health care specialists.

The Jesus Dream

The salvation we seek is limited to what our society can give us.  Our opportunities are limited to what we think we should have.  Our choices are limited by what everyone thinks is best for us.  Yet there is another option, we are not limited to what our society offers us.  Because Jesus offers us a different lifestyle.

Freedom in Jesus

Jesus offers us freedom from our own limitations.  He offers us freedom from our own limited morality.  He offers us freedom from a pointless existence of self-pleasuring, self-serving, self-pandering.  Jesus offers us the power of God and the lifestyle that He himself lived in order to make a powerful change for good in this country, in the world.  Jesus calls us to be more than human, to live according to the Spirit instead of the flesh.

Security in Jesus

Jesus offers us all the resources of God, without typical employment, without serving a society of greed.  Rather, we can trust in God’s provision, trust in unseen defenses, trust in God’s ways to make a road of security for us and our family in the midst of that which the world fears.

Peace in Jesus

Jesus offers us a peace that is borne by the Spirit, not by a false security of missiles, diplomacy and economic sanctions.  He offers us a peace that comes from within, a peace that we can transfer to others and help others live in.

Community in Jesus

Jesus offers us a people who is in the midst of creating a society based on the revolutionary ideals of Jesus, instead of the lowest common denominator.  Jesus offers us people to live with, to share with, to work with, to pray with, to rejoice with and to support and minister to.  Jesus offers us a full life, instead of the half-life of the American Dream.

Joy in Jesus

Jesus offers us joy—not just entertainment.  Yes, this is joy in persecution, happiness amidst suffering.  But this is the life of richness, the life of fullness, the life of God. 

Why is it the American Dream that the church seeks, when Jesus says the kingdom of God is found through the loss of the American Dream?

Why is the American Dream the primary option offered to our children, when it fails us in so many ways?

Why is the American Dream the only real option offered to the poor, as if that is the true salvation offered by Jesus?

Where are the saints who sacrificed themselves for the poor?

Where are the godly who knew that one could either have God’s kingdom or the world’s?

Ultimately, it is because our church has accepted the American Dream as the true salvation.

 Let’s not go the way of the standard church.  Let’s not be content with half-lives any more.

Seek the community of Jesus

American Salvation

We don’t need Jesus as much as our ancient forbears did.

That’s not to say that we don’t need the forgiveness of our sins.  Absolutely, we desperately need that.  And we need a relationship with God.  It is a wonderful feeling to know that, if we ever need God, we can pray to him and He’s there for us.  It’s good to have that security blanket, if we ever need Him.  And, of course, we need Him everyday.  That’s why we need to pray daily.  Because we need Him.

                So why don’t we pray?

                Well, sure, we prayed for Aunt Marge just last week.  She was going into surgery.  But she’s okay, because the doctors fixed her right up.  And we prayed for Tim, from our church, because he was going to Africa to visit some people who needed help.  We prayed for his protection.  He got back okay.  Of course, we knew that air travel is the safest way to go.  And there weren’t any wars where he was going.  But we’re glad we prayed, just in case. 

                And, of course, we worship God.  Some of us do it just on Sundays, and some every day.  But we recognize that its our responsibility to worship Him because He gave us life and created the world and provided us with the basics of every living thing.  So we thank him for our food, although we know that it came from stores after being processed after being grown in farms.  But somewhere back there, God did something to get us the food, so we thank Him.  It’s only respectful.

                It’s not like we believe that God doesn’t work today.  We certainly recognize God’s power in our lives.  It’s not like God is just some clockworker who put in the rechargeable battery and let it go. So why do we often practically act like deists?  Why does it seem as if our lives wouldn’t really be any different if we were just trying to be “good people”? 

                 Isn’t Christianity supposed to be something more intense?  What are we missing?

                Honestly, what we are missing is salvation.

                “No, no,” you interrupt, “you don’t understand.  We HAVE salvation.  We have it in Jesus.  Jesus died on the cross.  We believe.  So we have forgiveness and a relationship with God.  We already have it.”

                The problem is that forgiveness is only one part of salvation.  It’s important, that’s true, but its not the whole ball of wax.  Jesus offered us a lot more than just forgiveness.  He offers us the kingdom of God.  That’s quite a package.  It’s just that so few people really know what it all entails.

When Jesus offered us the kingdom, he offered us a nation of justice.  He offered us a nation that acts on the principle of caring for everyone, without exception, so that everyone will be cared for.  Justice is in Jesus’ hands, and he offers it to us. All we have to do is

                But we already have justice, don’t we?  That’s what we are told.  We live in a great nation of equality, where no one receives special treatment because of who they are.  Everyone is treated the same, no matter what their sex or their race or their social class or their wealth.  Everyone receives the same justice, the same opportunities… or, at least, that’s how it is supposed to work.

                I guess perhaps we don’t all have justice.  I guess there is still people of color who don’t receive equal treatment.  There are still women and even men who are refused jobs because of their sex.  There are immigrants and the homeless who aren’t treated with fairness.  There are still the mentally ill who are not given a fair shake.  So maybe we still need Jesus’ offer of justice after all.

When Jesus offered the kingdom of God, he was offering the outcast and lowly the opportunity to be rulers over the world.  He proclaimed good news to the poor, freedom to the prisoners and a new start to sinners.  Anyone could have the opportunity to lead in Jesus’ kingdom—they didn’t have to be rich or popular or part of a ruling class or a certain educational level.  Anyone could be powerful or have authority through the Holy Spirit, and rule with Jesus.

                But in our society, we already have that, don’t we.  After all, any kid in America could be whatever they want to be.  If a kid wants to be part of the police or an astronaut or even President of the whole country all they have to do is work hard and nothing will stop them from achieving their goal, right?

                But, actually, I wanted to be an astronaut until I found out that very few people could be in the few slots available for the position.  And I wasn’t good enough at science anyway.  Maybe, they said, I could be a social worker.  And as far as president?  When was the last time a homeless person became president?  Or a woman?   When was the last time an uneducated person become president?  No, the presidency is for a very few.  I guess we need Jesus’ salvation for the outcast after all.

               

                When Jesus offered us the kingdom of God, he offered us God’s knowledge and wisdom in all things.  He offered us the opportunity to know God’s righteousness and to know the hidden things of God.  We can have the Holy Spirit who will guide us in our lives and give us wisdom in every circumstance.

                But maybe we don’t need that knowledge anymore.  After all, we have great colleges and universities where we can learn anything of importance.  We have the internet to pick up any other kind of fact that we need.  And we have counselors and psychologists to offer us wisdom and counsel in our lives. Heck, we have search engines that will tell us whatever we know. 

                On the other hand, I never really learned that much in college.  I mean it was helpful, but it really only pointed the way.  And the ethics courses were pretty sketchy.  And though I can get a lot of facts in our society, I can’t tell the difference between Truth and the various forms of untruth that are floating around out there.  It’s so hard to tell the difference.  And I’ve got a friend, who is at least as sane as me, and the counselor keeps telling her that she’s got multiple personality disorder.  How many of those counselors and psychiatrists really understand us, who we really are, as individuals?  Perhaps we need Jesus’ salvation for wisdom after all.

When Jesus offered us the kingdom of God, he said that God would provide everything we need.  He said that we wouldn’t need to worry about food and clothing—God has got us covered (so to speak).  He said that he would heal our diseases and care for our wounds.  All of our basic needs would be provided for.

                But we don’t need God for that anymore.  I’m sure that the ancients needed God for their daily bread and health, but, frankly, us Americans are doing pretty well.  After all, I’ve never missed a meal in my life.  And I’ve eaten pretty well, if I can judge by my waistline.  We’ve got clean water and hot water and running water and sanitary water—that’s something!  And we have a better health system than ever seen in history.  More people are healed in a city hospital in one day than Jesus did in a year of ministry.

                Of course, people are mostly healed.  There is very little joy in healing, like with Jesus.  People sometimes seem sicker after their “healing” than before.  And I eat well and live well, it is true.  But why do I feel so guilty?  Why is there no satisfaction, not even any contentment, with my prosperity?  And why are there so many in the U.S. that don’t experience that prosperity?  Why are there children who are hungry, families who are homeless and strong men crippled by work?  Perhaps we need Jesus’ salvation of prosperity after all.

When Jesus offered us the kingdom of God, he promised us a society of God.  He said that we would have a society which would be our family, and we would have tight-knit bonds.  If any person was in need, the others would help them out.  Everyone would be supported and helped.

                But our society seems fine.  It offers a lot of variety, a lot of opportunity.  There are support groups everywhere, for every kind of issue.  There are churches and clubs and societies.  And if anyone is really in need, they could ask for it.  Or get welfare.

                On the other hand, our society seems full of violence.  And full of hatreds.  And there isn’t much forgiveness.  And I don’t know if I remember the name of anyone in my support group.  And I think I lied.  There’s no one who will really help us in need.  And welfare is humiliating.

When Jesus offered us the kingdom of God, he promised us a secure future.  We would be resurrected from the dead, and we would have eternal life.  We would be completely defended by God and there would be no more sorrows.  All the future would be ours, if only we would trust in Him.

                But our future seems fine.  We have the possibility of a comfortable retirement.  We have insurance to cover the worst of disasters—fire, flood, death, disease.  And we are secure in the hands of the U.S. military and the local police.  They keep things pretty secure.

                But, actually, we are pretty nervous.  We depended on Social Security, and we aren’t confident in it anymore.  We depended on insurance, and they said they wouldn’t pay for our disaster.  We had to take them to court to get the money we were promised.  And I would feel secure with the military and police, if only I could trust them.  If only I wasn’t afraid of what they would do.  As well as all the criminals and terrorists they miss.  I suppose that we still need Jesus salvation for the future.

When Jesus offered the kingdom of God, he was speaking about God’s rule.  God would be our Lord and Master and King.  No one would take us from his hand.  No one would rule over us, only God through Jesus.

                But, frankly, we don’t really want to be ruled by anyone.  I am the master of my own destiny, and I don’t really want anyone telling me what to do.  I have my own principles to live by.  I have my own ambitions.  It is enough for me to make my own decisions.  It is enough that I am in charge of my own life and I am independent of all rule.  Even God’s.   I think I understand now why we are practical deists.  Because we are content with what we already have.  We have made our own decisions and we have obtained the salvation the world offers, and why do we need any thing else?

 

                Except… that I made a mess of my life already.  I am depressed, sometimes forsaken, often sick.  My life is miserable, and I can’t blame anyone but myself.  I don’t know if I want to be independent.  I’m just not strong enough, not wise enough, not secure enough, not happy enough.  Maybe—just maybe—I really need Jesus to take over my life.

There is a salvation that America offers us.  It is often called the American dream.  We could fit into our society and live out this dream.  We could be consumers, and have whatever material things we want.  We could gain a high position socially.  We could live in a society of mutual respect and opportunity.  We could have security for our family and our children’s children.

                That’s the promise.  There’s only two problems with this promise.

                First of all, it’s a lie.  America cannot deliver it to us.  It never has, and it never will.  The government and society is inadequate for what the American dream promises.

                Also, Jesus’ offer is much better.  The kingdom of God is a more complete version of the salvation America offers. 

                Some of our greatest heroes, we have been told, offered us salvation.  George Washington.  Thomas Jefferson.  Abraham Lincoln.  Franklin Roosevelt.  Martin Luther King, Jr.  They offered us equality.  They offered us prosperity.  They offered us a glorious destiny.  It was an empty promise.  It was an offer without any substance.

            Only Jesus’ promise is the real thing.  The real salvation.

Is The United States a Christian Nation?

“The Majority of people in the United States are Christian”

In a recent national poll, as many as 78% of the people in the United States consider themselves Christian in some way.  Some kind of Christian viewpoint certainly dominates the U.S. culture.  In broad outlines, most people in the U.S. believe in one God who created the universe and that Jesus died for our sins.  Almost everyone has good things to say about Jesus in the U.S., even those who do not claim to be Christians.  People desire to be forgiven for their sins and they think that Jesus is ready to help them.

However, most people in the U.S. do not understand what Jesus demands to follow him, let alone follow it. To be a “Christian” may be a good thing, but it is mostly a social title today, having nothing to do with Jesus’ death or teaching.  Even the majority of people who go to churches have a false understanding about what it means to be a follower of Jesus.  Most people will agree that Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life: no one comes to the Father except through me”  (John 14:6).   But they do not agree with or even understand the following:

-  If anyone is to enter the kingdom of God, they must obey the teaching of Jesus.  (Matthew 7:21-27)

-  If anyone is to follow Jesus, they must deny themselves and take up their cross. (Mark 8:35)

-  If anyone wants to gain their life, they must lose it. (Mark 8:36)

-  Whoever wants Jesus to accept them before the Father, they must accept Jesus before men. (Mark 8:38)

-  No one can follow Jesus unless they renounce their possessions. (Luke 14:33)

-  Those who will gain the kingdom of God must be poor, mourning and persecuted.  (Luke 6:20-24)

-  Whoever will be raised from the dead must humble themselves. (Luke 14:11)

- The follower of Jesus must put Jesus above family (Matthew 10:37)

- The follower of Jesus serves God, not money (Matthew 6:24)

These are the demands of faith, and the people of the United States, especially the “Christians”, are usually looking for ways to avoid this faith of Jesus, not embrace it.  The majority of the United States are far more committed to family or money rather than Jesus. (Poll shows people in the United States place religion on lower priority)

“The Laws of the United States are based on the Bible”

Some say that the foundation of the law of the United States is based on a British system of law, which is based on the Bible, especially the Ten Commandments.  The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are based on “Christian” principles.  Thus many people think that the laws of the U.S. are fundamentally Christian.

However, the laws of the United States have been drawn up and applied without reference to the teachings of Jesus, which is the basis of  the laws of  the kingdom of God. Seven of the Ten Commandments are not enforced by the laws of the United States.  The makers of the laws of the U.S. are not concerned with the Bible, but with making the society well-running on their own principles, not on the principles of God.

Here are a few examples of where the law of God and of the United States are in opposition:

-  The law of God insists that idolatry is unacceptable. (Exodus 20:4; II Corinthians 6:16-17)

The law of the United States says that everyone has a right to worship whoever they want.

-  The law of God insists that those who take God’s name in vain will be punished. (Exodus 20:7; Matthew 12:31)

The law of the United States insists on freedom of speech, without punishment.

-  The law of God forbids covetousness and greed. (Exodus 20:17; Ephesians 5:3)

The law of the United States encourages corporations that thrive on greed.

-  The law of God says to teach one’s children about loving God. (Deuteronomy 6:7; Ephesians 6:4)

The law of the United States forbids the public teaching about God.

-  The law of God teaches to love everyone, even if they harmed you. (Matthew 5:43-44)

The law of the United States insist that the police and the military must harm others, and even encourage them to kill, if the threat seems bad enough.

The laws of the United States are, in many ways, opposed to Scripture, not in agreement with it. 

“The United States is a Christian Nation”

The early colonists of the United States were all Christians, many persecuted for their faith. North America has been the site of many major revivals, which caused many towns to turn completely to the Lord. The majority of the leaders of the United States have been Christian, and have written statements that could be called devotional.  So many say that the United States is a Christian nation, or that it should be.

However, the United States cannot today be called a Christian nation—nor can any nation on the earth. There is already a Christian nation, called the kingdom of God and Jesus is the king.  There can be no other nation with any other system of government with anyone else as leader that could call itself “of Jesus” or “Christian”.  The kingdom of God already has its people all throughout the world.  And though the kingdom does not now have a land that it can call its own, it is very much a living, vibrant nation.

On top of this, the United States is opposed to the kingdom of God in many areas.  Following are many areas that the United States and the kingdom of God are diametrically opposed:

-  The kingdom of God is a distinctly religious kingdom, devoted exclusively to God.

The United States separates any religious practice or belief from the government. 

-  The kingdom of God is a nation in which every member and citizen is devoted exclusively to God through Jesus Christ.  (Romans 10:9)

The United States insists that every citizen can worship whatever God they want, or none at all, and hold to any teacher they want.  To insist otherwise, it claims, is unethical.

-  The kingdom of God is a country ruled by an appointed benevolent dictator: Jesus Christ (Romans 1:4)

The United States firmly believes that only a republic where the leader is voted in by the people is a proper government.

-  The kingdom of God has all of its laws and ethics come from God himself, and all policies are allowed to be determined by local bodies, as long as they do not judge apart from God’s law.   (James 2:8-10)

The United States judges according to the laws passed by their legislative body, with no regard to God’s will.

-  The kingdom of God is empowered by the Holy Spirit. (Romans 14:17)

The United States is empowered by economic and military strength—namely, the flesh.

-  The kingdom of God has values such as faith, love, endurance through persecution, following the teaching of Jesus that are requirements to remain in it.  (Acts 14:22)

The United States does not promote love, generosity to the poor, devotion to God, faith in Jesus, humility, sound teaching or other values that would cause one to enter the kingdom of heaven.

-  The kingdom of God insists that one’s security comes from God alone, who sends angels to fight for it. (Matthew 26:52-53)

The United States firmly insists on having the strongest, most superior armed force in the world to promote its own security and its ideals.

-  The kingdom of God insists that greed must not be found among God’s people. (Ephesians 5:3)

The United States promotes greed, self-gratification and spending beyond one’s need as the backbone of its economy.

-  The kingdom of God teaches that to hate or destroy one’s enemy is to be unlike God and unworthy to be in God’s kingdom.  The kingdom of God claims that God’s way is to do good to one’s enemy and pray for that one. (Luke 6:27-36)

The United States promotes the destruction of their enemies, killing even innocents in the pursuit of their goals of revenge, security and economic stability.

-  The kingdom of God grants salvation to those who have faith, obedience and love in Jesus Christ. (Galatians 5:5-6)

The United States grants its salvation to those who qualify and have filled out the proper paperwork—whether rich or needy, deserving or swindlers.

The United States, like all other nations, is not any kind of a Christian nation.  It is a secular state, based on the principles of the world.  It is completely opposed to God’s ways of running his nation.

What is the Gospel of Jesus?

One of the tracts I used to hand out in front of churches in 1993-94. Before I was Mennonite.

As Christians, it is our privilege, commitment and responsibility to follow Jesus as our Lord and Christ. Thus, we want to commit our ways to the teachings of Christ. Because of this, these words have special significance for us: “Repent for the kingdom is heaven is near.” (Matt. 4:17) Why should this statement have special significance? Because this phrase is Matthew’s way of summarizing the gospel that Jesus taught. As followers of Christ, the gospel of Christ is of the highest importance.

But what is the kingdom of heaven? Is it some far off place where everyone sits playing harps all day with wings on their backs? I don’t think so. For Jesus said it is near. And the rest of Jesus’ teachings don’t say much about one’s musical talent, either.

At times, Jesus calls this realm something different than “the kingdom of heaven” or the “Kingdom of God” (Mark 10: 17-23. Notice the different names for the same idea!) There are many titles that he uses for the kingdom: eternal life, salvation, and the “age to come.” But perhaps the best way to understand the kingdom is by looking at its opposite, the world, or “this age.”

We all know about the world. It is society, civilization as we know it. This world is how we make our living and remain comfortable. This world consists of our friends, our family, and our co-workers. And this world gives us a structure to live our lives by. Frankly, although there are many things we dislike about this world, it is what we are comfortable surrounding ourselves with--the TV, music, movies and newspapers.

Jesus’ aim is to destroy the structure of this world and replace it with a new world, namely, the kingdom of God. In fact, when he returns, he will destroy the governments and other structures completely and establish his own rule on the ruins of the present civilization (Daniel 2:44). When he came 2000 years ago, his goal was the same (Luke 12: 49-53) But at that time he was working secretly and quietly with one man at a time to bring them into alignment with his kingdom (Luke 19:10)

What did he say his New Kingdom would be like? Very different from this world.
For example,
-In this world, you are convicted and thrown into prison for murdering someone. In the nest, even if you call someone “stupid” you’re thrown into hell (Matt. 5: 21-22).

-In this world, we give when it is convenient. In the next, we must give whenever someone asks us (Matt. 5:42).

-In this world, we prepare for our retirement and for potential calamities with insurance. In the next, we never worry about tomorrow but entrust God with our security (Matt. 6: 25-34).

-In this world, we fill our homes with treasures like TVs, VCRs, stereo systems, computers, nice furniture, mini-blinds, and piles and piles of sentimental trinkets. In the next, we build up treasures in heaven by selling what we have and giving to the poor (Luke 12: 33-34).

-In this world, we help someone out if it is not going out of our way--e.g. picking up a hitchhiker if he is going our direction. In the next, we help whoever is in need no matter what our schedule or direction (Luke 10: 25-37).

What a wonderful world to look forward to! There will be few needs because everyone will be selling, giving, helping, and trusting in God.

But Jesus wasn’t just giving a polite look t what is to come. To go into this wonderful kingdom, we need to do something. “Repent,” Jesus says (Luke 13: 1-5)

What is repenting? Biblically it is not feeling sorry or apologetic about what wrong we have done. Nor is it confessing your sins, although it might include that. Simply put, it is stopping whatever sin you are doing and then doing what is right before God. In the Old Testament, it is often called, “turning to the Lord.” It isn’t the change of attitude so much as the change of action.

So what is Jesus calling us to do? He wants us to change, to repent from our evil deeds. Which evil deeds are those? The deeds of this world! God wants us not to be concerned about tomorrow, concerned about what is “wise” in the eyes of those that look at one life alone (Matt. 11:25). Instead, we are to turn to the ways of the coming kingdom. We are to give to whoever asks, sell our possessions and give to the poor, seek the lower position to become slave to all (Luke 22: 26-27), we are to entrust everything to God and depend on him for our future. In essence, We are to live in this age as if we are in the age to come.

“Whoa,” you say. “This isn’t just a change in action. It is a whole new way of thinking!” That’s right! When Jesus was talking about being “born again,” he wasn’t just speaking of a mystical experience, or praying some prayer (John 3: 5-8). No, he was saying that to enter the kingdom you must turn your fundamental thoughts up side down.

Instead of thinking about yourself first, we think of others first. Instead of being concerned with what is wise, you focus on what is God’s will.

Common Misconceptions About Heaven

Talk about life after death scares some people and makes most people uncomfortable. We don’t like dealing with the many different ideas that seem so contradictory, even if everyone talking about it is a Christian. Usually, someone’s idea of life after death is related to their idea of what a perfect existence is, or should be. We are all striving for some sort of utopia or perfect state that everyone can live in. In this essay, I can’t promise that there won’t be controversial statements, or things you disagree with. But it is on the internet so you can read it in the privacy of your own computer, and complain about me if you don’t like what I’m saying without me having to hear it!

There is a lot that is assumed about life after death in Scripture, and so not explicitly stated. Because of this, many people have made guesses about heaven, trying to figure out what it’s all about. But in doing this, they have misunderstood what our life after death is really about.

Heaven is a spiritual existence
Most people think that in heaven we will be living without our bodies. This makes sense in some people’s philosophy, since they think that our bodies is what’s wrong with us. The Bible makes it clear, however, that the hope of eternal life is a physical life, being restored to our bodies which are perfected. (I Corinthians 15:36-43; John 5:28-29) Our bodies now are sick and full of mental weaknesses and pains. In the final day, however, our bodies will be restored to us, but without sickness, without suffering, fully healthy, without death.

There is no perfection for us without being both a physical and spiritual being. This is how we were created—both dirt and spirit mixed into a wonderful composition of life. And our eternal life will be no different.

Heaven is where my friends go
Death is frightening and it is painful. It makes us separate from our friends and loved family much too soon. So we often say to ourselves, “We will see them again in heaven. This isn’t a permanent separation, but only temporary.” However, the Bible gives us little assurance or comfort in this. First of all, every person must be judged by God to determine whether they will live in Jesus or live in eternal darkness. And God is the one who judges, not us. If we were perfectly in tune with God’s will, like Jesus is, then we could have a good notion of who would be with God and who would not. But it is interesting that Paul, one of the greatest saints who ever lived, said that he could not judge even himself. (I Corinthians 4:3-4).

Even so, we typically do not have enough information about those we love or knowledge of God’s will to make a determination of someone’s eternal state. Everyone, Scripture says, will be resurrected. But some will be resurrected to reward, and others to condemnation. Who are we to judge, here and now, who will get one destiny and one the other? We can make guesses, but to simply say, “I know they will be with us” is a kind untruth we tell ourselves. We must instead hand all judgment to God, who is the Judge of heaven and earth.

“Heaven” is in heaven
The very name “heaven” for our life with God leads us to a misconception. The idea is that we will live with God in the clouds for all eternity is a common, even stereotyped, idea of the Christian eternal life. However, even the location of our eternal life is misplaced.

It is true that our first existence after death will be without our bodies, in heaven. We see some of these folks in Revelation 6. However, they are begging God for a change in the world. Why is this? Because their place is on the earth, transformed by God. Jesus’ second “coming” means him coming to earth, to establish the kingdom of God here. Eternal life isn’t something we are going to, it is something that is coming to us, to change the existence we currently live in.

Heaven is boring
Many people think that heaven must be boring. We see this in cartoons of heaven—sitting on clouds, with wings, playing harps. This might be some Greek fantasy of bliss, but not the Christian ideal. First of all, Jesus said that on the final day many who are not followers of Jesus would remain in the kingdom of God, if they have assisted persecuted believers on earth (Matthew 25:31-40). So this means that there will be a mix of believers and unbelievers on the earth. Secondly, the resurrected believers Jesus calls to himself will be given positions of authority to rule over the world. (Luke 22:29-30; Luke 19:15-19). This means that there will be no sitting around, bored our of our minds. Instead, the resurrection means that we will be assisting Jesus in establishing peace and justice throughout the world, not as a small part of a democratic society, but as an integral part of a benevolent monarchy. Transformation of the earth is not an instant miracle, it is, rather, an ongoing miracle which we will be a part of.

And what will we do in our time off? Well, think about our resurrected bodies for a moment. We will have bodies just like Jesus. And Jesus could transport himself, instantly, from one place to another distant place (Luke 24:31-36; Acts 8:39-40). And, remember, after the resurrection there is no death, we are immortal (I Corinthians 15:26). What are the implications of this? Well, this is speculative, but I’m looking forward to exploring Jupiter. Some others might want to explore the bottom of the ocean. At the very least, we can all get our travel fantasies in. Want to visit the ruins of Thailand?—poof!

Heaven is eternal worship of God
Some people look at certain scenes in the book of Revelation and see that heaven is filled with worship of God. This has led some to speculate that eternal life will be one long worship session. I can see some, especially worship leaders, thinking this would be wonderful, for they would be exercising their gifts all the time. However, for those of us who are less musically inclined or gifted at worship, this doesn’t sound so great.

A careful examination of the scenes of Revelation, we find the heavenly creatures not simply worshipping God, but that is simply the preamble of God establishing justice on earth. And when God does establish justice, he uses his messengers and servants to fulfill His will. This gives us a more well-rounded idea of what eternal life will be like. We will be assisting God to create justice on earth. Yes, there will be worship of God, even as there is now. But eternity is not simply about worshipping God. If God wanted creatures to simply worship Him, He could have created people to be simply worshipping creatures. Rather, God created humanity to be ruling creatures, people who would follow His will to establish His rule over all the earth (Psalm 8). Eternal life is about reigning with God, not simply about honoring God.

Heaven is eternal bliss
For most people, their idea of eternal life is perfection. There is little difference between many Christians’ idea of heaven and a Buddhist Nirvana. It is eternal happiness, with no pain or sorrow, in unity with God, and there is no difficulties or mistakes.

The Scriptural idea of heaven isn’t as blissful as all that. Yes, it says that in the end there will be no tears (Revelation 21:3-4). But this really means that there will be no death or grieving for death, and a government that creates perfect justice. This doesn’t mean that there will be no pain. If we step on a nail, I hope it causes us a little bit of pain so we don’t have a bunch of stuff sticking into us. Mistakes will be made, but hopefully they will be corrected. We will probably be just as apt to make errors in our speech then as now, but we will be more likely to apologize for our mistakes and more likely to be forgiven. There will still be work, still be challenges, still be goals—this is the implication of ruling and the need to rule. But it will be work that suits us, challenges we can meet and goals that will be fulfilled. This isn’t exactly bliss, but it will be a life worth living.

Heaven is after we die
One of the strangest statements Jesus makes is that the future is now here, with us (John 5:25; Matt. 10:7; Luke 17:21). Jesus told the poor disciples that the kingdom IS theirs, not will be. And Jesus was preaching about the immediacy of God’s future. Certainly we can see how this is true in Jesus’ day. Jesus was the king and the presence of the future, so wherever Jesus was, the kingdom existed. But Jesus also said that His Spirit would rest on his people when He left. So, instead of having on representation of the kingdom on earth, Jesus left a hundred. A hundred people who would establish Jesus’ mercy to others, establish pockets of His justice and do miracles as Jesus did (John 14:12-21).

Thus the kingdom of God, Jesus says, is like a mustard seed. It is small at the beginning, having only one or twelve representatives. But over time, that seed of the future will grow and expand. The whole earth will be covered by this future only when Jesus arrives, but the work of mercy and justice and peace must be established now.

The big difference is that if we attempt to create pockets of Jesus’ mercy and justice, we will be persecuted for it, even killed. We have a hard time getting the resources we need for it. We have to convince others to join us in establishing Jesus’ peace. In Jesus’ future, we will have all the resources we need. We will never be harmed for doing what is right. And we will not be overwhelmed by the task. But even so, we can have a taste of that future now. Now is the day of salvation, now is the time to work together to create pockets of heaven, so we will be ready for it when it comes.