Grace Abounding

Why do you yearn for Christ’s coming? Is it to be free from the ravages of sin’s curse…disease, hardships, temptation? Is it so all on earth is made right by the Risen Christ? I’m listening to an album of songs sung by Ken Bartholomew, a friend and brother-in-Christ. I’m reminded to yearn for heaven, for the new heavens and new earth because God is there. God himself is the great treasure of the believer’s life to come.

Ken Bartholomew went home to be with Christ last fall. I mourn his passing. His singing in this album “Finally Home” is living on and causing me to search my heart. It’s a collection of songs he sang over the years during worship at Heritage Bible Church where he was a member. Many songs he was well-known for singing had as their theme the abiding presence of Jesus and his yearning to live with Christ in glory. I’m reminded anew of the incredible relationship with Father, Son, and Spirit that the cross has purchased for me, a lowly sinner who deserves only hell and separation from a Holy God forever.

What is it about the coming kingdom and eternity that I should long for? The New England theologian Jonathan Edwards helps me see more clearly:

“What is it which chiefly makes you desire to go to heaven when you die? Indeed some have no great desire to go to heaven. They do not care to go to hell; but if they could be safe from that, they would not much concern themselves about heaven. If it be not so with you, but you find that you have a desire after heaven, then inquire what it is for. Is the main reason, that you may be with God, have communion with him, and be conformed to him? that you may see God, and enjoy him there? Is this the consideration which keeps your hearts, and your desires, and your expectations towards heaven?”

(from Edward’s sermon, “God, the Best Portion of the Christian,” preached in April 1736)

In John 17:3, our Lord himself declared the same, when he defined eternal life: “Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” Thank you, Lord, for allowing me to know Ken, a heavenly-minded worshiper, who has helped me treasure and thirst for you anew. Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!