Winning The Gold
If you have been watching the Olympics this year you can see how each person competes in order to win the gold. It is not just about the athletes competing but about some of the judges competing for their athletes. The subjective marks of judging some of the sports seem to have been influenced and traded for favors in other competitions. Some are disqualified in order for others to win. It is a competition for gold among all the athletes, judges and officials at the games.
What will happen in heaven? Paul speaks of life as a race and we are to run to win a prize. There is always much discussion about the concept that everyone will not have an equal reward in heaven. Does it come from the people who don’t want to be left out and want an equal share with Paul and Peter? For some, the idea that there would be degrees of reward would make heaven a terrible place where no one would be happy.
Will we resent it if others have more than us in heaven? How would we handle it if others resent us for having more than them? The real issue is how we handle it here. Some people do have more than others but it also depends on which category is up for comparison. Some have more money than others. Some have more faith than others. Some have a great deal of love and some struggle to love God. Some have more children but is that a blessing? Some are more popular and some are even famous. We will never have the most of all of those things or is it just certain ones we wanted to pick out?
One factor we must consider is who will be there. Paul give us one answer when he says, “idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you just as I have forewarned you that those who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” Gal 5:20-21 The simple fact is if we have not worked out our jealous reactions here on earth we won’t have to worry about heaven because we won’t be going. But again that is difficult because does it mean we have no desire for anything? We are to look at those around us who are doing better than we are and follow their example. Aren’t we trying to look ahead and do better?
Another consideration is we are only in heaven because of grace. If it were not for God’s forgiveness and Jesus’ sacrifice we would not be there. We didn’t earn it or deserve it. We are not there because we competed so well. We did some things here on earth but nothing that would make us worthy of such a prize. We are not there to compete with each other but to love and encourage each other. The only competition might be how much we can give to other people. Jesus has already shown us how. Because of Jesus sacrifice we all win gold.
“18 And the material of the wall was jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass.” “21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; each one of the gates was a single pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.” Revelation 21:18,21
Terry Singleton
Pulpit Minister
Sunset Church of Christ
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