Most of the New Testament letters were written to those working to integrate the realities of their new faith into everyday life. But some found themselves mistreated and even shunned for following Jesus. That's why nearly every letter reminds them of the certainty of heaven: Don't cave in because the best is yet to come. Let's look at two of these.
The first comes from the Apostle Paul, who often let his readers know his life was filled with challenges:
Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. (2 Corinthians 11:24-27 NIV)
Sounds like he needed a new job! Yet this was the life he'd embraced as a follower of Jesus in the part God had for him in His story. Once he'd understood and experienced the depths of what Jesus had done for him, he signed on as a lifer. So just what was it that kept him going in all the adversity? He tells us earlier in his letter:
Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes, not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NIV)
The reality of his humanity was that it was in a state of decline, and every day brought him one step closer to the finish line. But he was still in the race, and knowing he had an inheritance waiting is what got him up every morning. He reminded himself that everything he was experiencing, as painful as it was, was only temporary. His inheritance was going to be huge, and that's where he fixed his eyes.
The second is found in the first of Peter's two letters, where he addresses Christians who had been suffering for their faith. Before he gets into the meat of what he wants to talk about, he sets the stage with the big picture:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (I Peter 1:3-5)
Peter is reminding his readers their salvation is much greater than just the here and now: it includes an inheritance package with their name on it. It's imperishable, exponentially better than anything they've ever experienced, and backed by the power of God Himself! If they fail to remember this, some of what he is about to tell them won’t make sense.
Being a follower of Jesus can get confusing if we forget about the inheritance package. Some of what Jesus and the Biblical writers say just won't make sense because they’re written from the perspective that our wonderful God has saved the best for last.
Every day brings us one step closer to the finish line.
Every day brings us one step closer to the win.
And every day brings us one step closer to our inheritance that we’ll enjoy forever…and ever…and ever…