Is Heaven Cheap Enough?
by Raquel Akens
A FEW weeks ago I read a little pamphlet written by Joe Crews entitled, Colorful Cosmetics and Jewelry. The title and picture on the cover of the little pamphlet easily caught my attention because of my past struggles on this very subject.
(To read about my experience look for the article, An Appeal to Young Ladies, in Vol. 3, Issue 3 of Home Church Herald). I found the points made were clear and conclusive regarding this subject, but it also laid down some principles which every Christian should live by, and I would like to share these with you.
Our motivation to live out Christian standards and to reform should be based upon our love for God. This is the basis for true religion, but should our love for Christ wane, any kind of self-denial required of us, whether it concerns dress, adornment, diet, watching movies, etc., quickly becomes unsavory and burdensome; and we begin to blame these restrictions and/or the messenger presenting these restrictions of our “freedom” for any unhappiness we may be experiencing. I like how Joe Crews uses marriage as an object lesson to give the reader a different perspective on the subject: he says,
“Marriage is the most restrictive experience that any human being can voluntarily assume in this world, aside from his spiritual commitment to Christ ... The wedding vows are undoubtedly among the most narrow, rigid commitments any human being can make in his lifetime. If restrictions and rules are the cause of so much misery, then weddings should be the most miserable, unhappy experiences for all concerned. But not so! They are the happiest events. Why?... They love each other” ― (Colorful Cosmetics & Jewelry, p. 5).
Love, therefore, must be the motivating factor of all our actions. Most of us can probably agree that the unhappiest people on earth are those who are married, but no longer love each other. This same can be true for the Christians who are married to Christ, but do not love him. What is the solution? Fall in love again.
As true Christians we will not push the limit of Christian standards, and hope that it will still be acceptable to God, but we will avoid anything questionable. We will not dwell in the gray areas, but we will rather safely follow the path marked out for us by Christ. Our thoughts should not be, “How much can I get by with without getting in trouble?” But, “How much can I do to please God whom I love?” If we love God, we will obey the light as soon it is revealed to us concerning any matter.
Nothing should be worth more than having God’s blessing and approval. When I think of all the things that I have given up for Christ, the jewelry, the cosmetics, the worldly dress, all the worldly associations, the esteem of my peers, the affection of so called “friends”, their worth does not compare with the eternal joys of heaven and the blessing of God in this life. I am reminded of Moses,
“Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward” ― (Hebrews 11:25-26).
If my rejection of these earthly treasures means the approval of heaven, then I can truly say that Heaven is cheap enough. I traded those fading pleasures for lasting joys, a loving Father, and a merciful Saviour. What a deal! Dear reader, won’t you do the same?
As the day of the Lord draws nearer, hard times will arise. We will be tested to the utmost. We will be thoroughly tried. Like Lot and his family, we will be required to leave all behind. I pray that in that day I and each one of us will still have the love of Christ in our hearts, and be able to say, “Heaven is cheap enough.” Dear reader, I leave you with one thought: If we are not willing to surrender the toys, pleasures, or customs of this world to gain Jesus, will heaven ever be cheap enough, or will it cost too much?
Have you thought about the fact that aside from our committment to Christ, there is one choice which can bring the greatest happiness into our lives, but is also the most restrictive experience that any human being can voluntarily assume in this world.
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