Your Choice

Most Christians are not aware they can either enter heaven richly or in lack. These riches are not works, but simply the outworking of faith, for faith alone pleases God, Hebrews 11:6. True richness comes from entering into a deep and personal relationship with God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Salvation is free for all who believe, John 3:16, but rewards, or richness are the result of a life that is full of faith, 1 Corinthians 3:12-15. To enter heaven richly is to yield all to Him who loves you beyond comprehension.

It is not enough to just barely make it into heaven. Jesus came that we might have abundant resurrected life, John 10:10. An abundance that continues into eternity because we live in a way that gives honour to the great I Am That I Am, Exodus 3:14. .

The Cost

Jesus calls believers to follow Him, Matthew 4:19, knowing it has a cost. It is the only way to progress toward spiritual perfection, absolute victory and eternal fellowship with God. 

The cost of our salvation is beyond our comprehension. It cost the Son of God to leave His heavenly home, live for 30 years in what could be compared to a sewage dump for all people are sinners, Romans 3:23. He died on a cruel wooden cross, Romans 5:8, at the hands of the ones He had created, Colossians 1:16. God Himself paid the price of our redemption and reclaimed and redeemed the created from Satan’s kingdom of darkness.

God is a jealous God and will have no other before Him, Exodus 34:14. When we make self our god, we deny the power of the death and resurrection of Christ and deny God’s unfathomable grace and mercy, Ephesians 2:8,9. God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap, Galatians 6:7. The goal of every true follower of Christ should be to enter heaven with spiritual fullness, reward and exceeding joy.

Fiery Trials

True followers of Christ constantly face fiery trials, 1 Peter 4:12-19, for we have an age-old enemy, Satan. Even though he is limited in his power, he is determined to take as many as possible with him into his eternal damnation. However, it is in the darkness of trials that real growth takes place.

God permits trials, for only through them do we arrive at the end of self, understanding our own inadequacy, and unrighteousness, 2 Corinthians 5:21. Each trial has a purpose in God’s eternal plan for us. He wants us to arrive at the place where there are no veils between us and He knows the end from the beginning, Isaiah 46:10.

We need to see God’s hand in the trials, no matter how painful they are. They are designed to stretch us, strengthen us, and deepen our faith in who God is. He walks with us through those trials, Daniel 3:24-26, for He never leaves us nor forsakes us, Hebrews 13:5.

The Riches of Heaven

To enter heaven richly and unparalleled is to receive the reward of crowns. These are rewards for that which is revealed with fire that tests the quality of each person’s life and how we lived for Christ, 1 Corinthians 3:13, Matthew 16:27.

It is having yielded all to God in faith, self-control, service, exalting in Christ and longing for His return. Righteousness, and endurance through trials. Showing forth the love of God and honouring God in all things. These crowns are ultimately laid at Christ’s feet in worship, Revelation 4:10.

Empty or Full

You can only fill the empty portion of a glass, and the same principle applies spiritually. God will only fill what we are prepared to empty of self, 1 Corinthians 15:46. God gave man the gift of free will, so we can choose to accept or reject God’s will for our life in His eternal plan.

Those who choose to live an easy life and take the wide road in the company of the vast majority, will enter heaven empty-handed. This temporary life on earth is of greater value to them than their future eternal position in heaven.

Narrow Gate

It takes courage to enter the narrow gate, Matthew 7:13, and live for Christ, rather than be ruled by self-ambition and earthly desires. We all have the opportunity to grow into the fullness of the stature that belongs to Jesus Christ, Ephesians 4:13, and enter heaven richly and unparalleled. Yet even in that richness, there can be a 30-fold, 60-fold, or 100-fold result, Mark 4:20.

True richness comes from realizing we are a people of unclean lips, Isaiah 6:5. In our own right we are not worthy to stand in the presence of a holy God. Only when we are hid in Christ Jesus are we made worthy, Colossians 3:3.

End of the Age

We live in a time that is unlike any other in history. There have always been many incidents of extreme violence against followers of Christ. However, there are more end-time prophecies being fulfilled than ever before and numerous persecutions. We have reached the ‘end of this age’.

True believers around the world are waiting in eager anticipation for what the church calls the rapture, 1 Thessalonians 4:16. The Antichrist is alive and well and about to step onto the world stage. We have the choice to be the prepared bride, not just the five wise virgins with oil in their lamp, Matthew 25.

Blood Year

2025 has been called the bloodiest year for believers. An average of 12 Christians were killed daily for their belief in Christ. Jesus stood when the first martyr was stoned to death, Acts 7:56. It costs everything to be in a true covenantal relationship with Him.

Millions around the world pay lip service to religion, while living their own way. They are in love with safety, convenience, having fun, popularity and worldly success. Self-reigns supreme, for they are unwilling to hand over control to their loving Heavenly Father and live a higher life.

To such people obedience, self-discipline, personal holiness and cross-carrying discipleship are only for fanatics. Churches die where grace and mercy are valued so cheaply.

Enter Heaven Richly and Unparalleled        

We have the choice to enter heaven richly and unparalleled, for each of us is unique and precious to God, 1 Peter 2:9. Or you can enter empty-handed as a poor man. Christ gave His all for us. It is important to give our all for Him, that He might fill us with all the fulness of Himself, Ephesians 1:23. This is no sacrifice on our part, but a privilege, for in the end you will hear ‘Well done good and faithful servant’, Matthew 25:21,23.

Our prayer should be the same as Dietrich Bonhoeffrer, a German Lutheran pastor. ‘With every power for good to stay and guide me. Comforted and inspired beyond all fear. I’ll live these days with You in thought beside me. And pass, with You, into the coming year’. May God richly bless you and bring many souls to a full and rewarding relationship with Christ.    

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Dr. Wendy Stenberg-Tendys is a servant of the Lord who enjoys researching Biblical topics and sharing words of encouragement from the Word of God. She asks the hard questions.

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