Together # 62
A Together for Perseverance
A Together for Perseverance
Look Out for One Another’s Good
copyright by Dick Wulf, 2018
Work with other believers to see that Christians get the things they need for spiritual growth, relationship obedience, and physical security, whether or not they are seeking them.
Rom 15:1-3; Gal 6:10; Phil 2:3-4; Titus 3:14;
Heb 6:10; James 1:27; 1 Peter 4:19
Heb 6:10; James 1:27; 1 Peter 4:19
With some of the Togethers, there is great overlap. Let’s not let such overlap confuse us. We can use it to see different aspects of Christlikeness.
“Meet One Another’s Needs” and “Look Out for One Another’s Good” are similar, but it helps to keep them separate to emphasize two slightly different expectations of God and two different results for the people of God. “Meet One Another’s Needs” holds us together with strong bonds of love when we take responsibility for each other’s basic needs, such as food, clothing, and shelter.
The one we are talking about here is “Look Out for One Another’s Good” and it goes beyond basic needs to a multitude of essential things. Doing much good for one another beyond helping with food, clothing, and shelter helps the people of God to persevere in life and faith.
Looking out for one another’s good requires assessing what other Christians need in order to enjoy life and glorify God. Then, Christians are to work together to see that the necessary good happens for those people.
The task of careful identification and assessment of what next good thing a person needs is most often a job for a few Christians working together. Only one of us making such a decision is risky because it usually does not consider something important. In some ways, this Together is as much careful planning as it is execution.
Let’s use the example of a Christian family we know where the teenage boy is picked up for shoplifting. In such a situation, what “good” needs to be done? Since shoplifting can mean so many different things further than that a law has been broken, loving intervention requires careful assessment. Did the boy steal to bring attention on himself to keep his father and mother from divorcing? Did he shoplift something unquestionably needed for which there was no money? Did the teen shoplift to get help for his hurtful family, hoping that authorities will find out that his sister is being molested? Did he shoplift to impress friends?
It should be clear that those Christians close to this family are the best ones to look out for the good of that family and its youngster. They are the ones who must put their minds together. After discovering the reason for the shoplifting, careful and sensitive ways to intervene with the love of Jesus need to be discussed, prayed over, and implemented.
This example shows why God tells his people to look out for one another’s good – together. The great resources of God through one Christian are less than what can be done by a few of the Lord’s people working together. So, why do we too often do this alone? Is it because of the individualistic nature of our faith? Is it because so much teaching through sermons and books speak to how Christian individuals are to live, but so little how they are to act together?
What if Christian friends took a little time during their lunch conversations to evaluate if anyone in their Christian Inner Circles needed something good to happen for their essential well-being, either physically, relationally, or spiritually? Good friends ought to consider more than just their own needs. If individually we are told to consider others a little more important than ourselves, should we not do so as friendship groups?
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.
Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,
Phil 2:3-4
Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,
Phil 2:3-4
This passage of Scripture clearly asks each of us to get our attention on others a little more than on ourselves. When two good Christian friends get together, do they watch out for each other’s good? Hopefully they do.
But, what if they took this one step further because they realize that Christians are to work together to look out for the good of Christians throughout the scope of their various relationships?
But, what if they took this one step further because they realize that Christians are to work together to look out for the good of Christians throughout the scope of their various relationships?
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people,
especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Gal 6:10
especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Gal 6:10
This Together of looking out for one another’s good can help direct attention to people we biblically have more responsibility for because of our relationship with them. The other Togethers are often the substance of what needs to be done for another’s good.
Opportunity to Become More and More Like Jesus Christ
Opportunity to Become More and More Like Jesus Christ
People take care of their members at Central Church. Under the guidance of the deacons, the congregation has an adequate pantry for food needs and a storeroom of crutches, wheelchairs, walkers and other medical supplies. Emotional needs are cared for through small care groups. Church leaders work with members until they join a group, a process that sometimes takes years of teaching and gentle persuasion.
For example, single parents in the church are asked to join groups made up of a mixture of married couples, single-never-been-marrieds, older singles, and seniors. Because they have been clearly taught through the chain of leadership, the small groups know that it is their job to see that the children of the single parent have substitute "aunts," "uncles," and "grandparents". Each small group gives their single parent a weekend off at least once a month, taking care of the children in their homes. |
Everything Jesus did was for the good of others. Of course, His death on the cross dwarfs all the other things. But, let’s not for that reason dismiss all the other things that He did for people. He healed, He comforted, He fed, and a thousand other things that did not make the pages of Scripture.
So, when we look out for one another’s good, we are being like Jesus. Stretching ourselves out of our comfortable routines to consider the good of others causes us to grow more into Christ’s likeness.
Remember the time He noticed a widow whose son had died and was left with no one to take care of her?
So, when we look out for one another’s good, we are being like Jesus. Stretching ourselves out of our comfortable routines to consider the good of others causes us to grow more into Christ’s likeness.
Remember the time He noticed a widow whose son had died and was left with no one to take care of her?
Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry.”
Then he went up and touched the bier they were carrying him on, and the bearers stood still. He said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!” The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother. They were all filled with awe and praised God. “A great prophet has appeared among us,” they said. “God has come to help his people.” This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country. Luke 7:11-17 |
Note that Jesus analyzed situations as He came upon them. We want to do the same. Maybe we cannot raise a person from the dead, but there is a lot that we can do. But, we should not do it alone. That is where all of God’s commands to do things with other Christians (the Togethers) come in. Looking out for one another is an attitude about doing what is good for other Christians in light of their eternity.
This is what the apostle Paul had in mind.
This is what the apostle Paul had in mind.
Each of us should please our neighbors for their good,
to build them up.
Rom 15:2
to build them up.
Rom 15:2
I remember a multi-millionaire I once met who told each of his children that they were only getting $250,000 inheritance and no more. He was convinced that receiving a few million dollars latter in their lives when he passed on to heaven would be detrimental to their trust in God as well as developing their own initiative.
We should list everyone in our own Christian Inner Circles and pray, asking both God and our own thinking what are their important needs that might need assessment. Then, we need to talk with them about their own good in any way that God brings to mind, but never for gossip or to be a busybody, only to see what “good” they might need.
Jesus did this. He often asked people questions about their faith to find out what they needed. Let’s do something similar. Let’s find out someone’s important need and work with other Christians to accomplish that good.
For example, in counseling people, I run across far too many Christians unhappy with life because of a lack of friends. Having a few close friends is critical for both emotional and physical health. Everyone needs at least 3 friends they can call in the middle of the night with an urgent need. (Have you noticed how many shooters who have randomly killed people were loners? How horrible were their lives? What about all those seriously lonely without guns? What are they doing to harm themselves or others?)
I just met with a very pleasant, yet shy, 23-year-old who has no friends with whom to do things. As a result, he spends way too much time on his computer and playing video games. He is lonely and knows people are missing in his life, but there are no single young adult groups in his church and he reports that there is an absence of young adults who are not married with children. (I have often wondered why there are not web sites where people can make friends, like the matchmaking sites. Many more people need good friends than a husband or wife, but I guess there is not sufficient income potential to interest an entrepreneur.)
Each of us should list those in our Christian Inner Circles and include our families and closest Christian friends. Is there anyone who does not have enough close friends to provide a pleasant life or to be there when trouble brews? If so, God expects us to help them find friends. The Together to “Be Hospitable’ relates here. We don’t need to become a friend to every lonely soul, but we can help people meet one another and form critical friendships.
Let’s be more like Jesus, opening our eyes and hearts to provide good that is essential to the spiritual, relational and physical needs of others. Let’s notice the opportunities.
Opportunity to Worship God
We should list everyone in our own Christian Inner Circles and pray, asking both God and our own thinking what are their important needs that might need assessment. Then, we need to talk with them about their own good in any way that God brings to mind, but never for gossip or to be a busybody, only to see what “good” they might need.
Jesus did this. He often asked people questions about their faith to find out what they needed. Let’s do something similar. Let’s find out someone’s important need and work with other Christians to accomplish that good.
For example, in counseling people, I run across far too many Christians unhappy with life because of a lack of friends. Having a few close friends is critical for both emotional and physical health. Everyone needs at least 3 friends they can call in the middle of the night with an urgent need. (Have you noticed how many shooters who have randomly killed people were loners? How horrible were their lives? What about all those seriously lonely without guns? What are they doing to harm themselves or others?)
I just met with a very pleasant, yet shy, 23-year-old who has no friends with whom to do things. As a result, he spends way too much time on his computer and playing video games. He is lonely and knows people are missing in his life, but there are no single young adult groups in his church and he reports that there is an absence of young adults who are not married with children. (I have often wondered why there are not web sites where people can make friends, like the matchmaking sites. Many more people need good friends than a husband or wife, but I guess there is not sufficient income potential to interest an entrepreneur.)
Each of us should list those in our Christian Inner Circles and include our families and closest Christian friends. Is there anyone who does not have enough close friends to provide a pleasant life or to be there when trouble brews? If so, God expects us to help them find friends. The Together to “Be Hospitable’ relates here. We don’t need to become a friend to every lonely soul, but we can help people meet one another and form critical friendships.
Let’s be more like Jesus, opening our eyes and hearts to provide good that is essential to the spiritual, relational and physical needs of others. Let’s notice the opportunities.
Opportunity to Worship God
Kevin was the kind of father who did not just casually or conveniently look out for the good of his son Jace. Not only did he pray daily for his son, but he actually spent time thinking about what Jace was going through, how strong was his faith, and what more he needed to know about life. Kevin served God by being like God in looking out for his son’s good. He also knew that in reflecting God’s own character, each act of such oversight was worship.
Usually what Kevin did for Jace was well-received, if not appreciated. It was a joy to have talks with his son or do something nice for him. However, there were times when what Kevin had to do was not welcomed by Jace. Like the time when he made Jace cancel a date with his girlfriend to do a better job at cleaning the garage. Kevin knew that there would be a day when Jace would need to put off pleasure to meet a need of his employer. Jace needed to know how to prioritize responsibilities. |
God has given us love in Christian relationships to look out for one another's good. When we do so, we worship God by reflecting back to Him his nature which always looks out for our good. By acting like Him, we offer Him the praise of our lives.
It is easy to see that God is looking out for our good when He provides good things. Yet, during rough times we often can’t see it. But, He still is looking out for our good and when we get to heaven later, we will understand. Presently we can try to better comprehend that God is looking out for us even when things seem horrible.
It is easy to see that God is looking out for our good when He provides good things. Yet, during rough times we often can’t see it. But, He still is looking out for our good and when we get to heaven later, we will understand. Presently we can try to better comprehend that God is looking out for us even when things seem horrible.
And we know that in all things
God works for the good of those who love him,
who have been called according to his purpose.
Rom 8:28
God works for the good of those who love him,
who have been called according to his purpose.
Rom 8:28
Our individualized Christian faith creates a focus on self that keeps us from reading this passage appropriately. When it says, “those who love him”, what keeps us from seeing that something bad that happens to us individually does not have to necessarily come back for our own individual good? What about for the good of someone in our Christian Inner Circles? Or for someone in our local churches? Or even in the worldwide church?
Jesus suffered excruciatingly on the cross and died, not for His good, but for ours. Might we break a leg skiing and miss a concert we were going to so that God can use our ticket for someone else who needs relief from job stress? And then, might an aunt come to take care of us and wonder about our faith and become a Christian? If this was what God was doing, would we not want to have a broken leg?
So, whether we understand it or not, God is constantly looking out for our good, both individually and collectively. It is even for our good that we are to look out for those with needs.
Jesus suffered excruciatingly on the cross and died, not for His good, but for ours. Might we break a leg skiing and miss a concert we were going to so that God can use our ticket for someone else who needs relief from job stress? And then, might an aunt come to take care of us and wonder about our faith and become a Christian? If this was what God was doing, would we not want to have a broken leg?
So, whether we understand it or not, God is constantly looking out for our good, both individually and collectively. It is even for our good that we are to look out for those with needs.
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this:
to look after orphans and widows in their distress
and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
James 1:27
to look after orphans and widows in their distress
and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
James 1:27
Note that keeping oneself from being polluted by the world includes looking out for one another’s good. Self-focus and it’s worse cousin self-centeredness are two of our culture’s main pollutants. Add to that lack of generosity. We are to be the opposite if we want our worship to be acceptable.
The more we look out for the good of one another, the more we are being like God and reflecting back to Him his own character. That is as much worship as singing the hymn “Holy, Holy, Holy”, perhaps a whole lot more because it requires self-denying love. Note that God considers helping others as love shown to Him. And, He will not forget it!
The more we look out for the good of one another, the more we are being like God and reflecting back to Him his own character. That is as much worship as singing the hymn “Holy, Holy, Holy”, perhaps a whole lot more because it requires self-denying love. Note that God considers helping others as love shown to Him. And, He will not forget it!
God is not unjust;
will not forget your work and the love you have shown him
as you have helped his people and continue to help them.
Heb 6:10
will not forget your work and the love you have shown him
as you have helped his people and continue to help them.
Heb 6:10
How wonderful it is that God will not forget every single time we look out for one another’s good! So, we do not want to put off helping others until we are older or have time left over after recreation. Let’s look out for one another’s good more and more. And, let’s do it excellently, which means that we do it together in teams, occasion-by-occasion. Let’s worship in this way!
How Used in Battle to Defeat Evil and Satan
How Used in Battle to Defeat Evil and Satan
The Washington Family is one where everyone looks out for one another’s good. They see themselves as a family before being individuals. They understand that it is their job to see that everyone enjoys life and is being prepared to succeed.
While all family members are encouraged daily to look out for anything good that someone needs, there is a monthly family meeting with the sole purpose of identifying what each family member needs to advance toward faith and success. Time is spent looking at how each child is doing in school as well as in friendships and activities. Time is also spent examining the parents’ work success, budgeting, relationship with each other, and parenting success. When there are problems, how each family member can be of help is identified. Accountability on helpfulness comes up at the next “Looking Out for One Another” family meeting. |
It might seem that God is asking too much for us to watch out for the good of more than just our immediate family and a few close friends. But, we are at war. We are in God’s army and we have a very sinister foe. The war we fight goes beyond just those to whom we are closest. This a war where we cannot just send out others to battle. We are all soldiers, and we each have a battlefield in which to wield love and prayer.
Looking out for one another’s good is taking the battle to the front lines where Satan is doing all he can to destroy people. Therefore, this looking out for one another’s good is not meant to be comfortable, convenient or safe. War has discomfort, sacrifice and suffering.
Looking out for one another’s good is taking the battle to the front lines where Satan is doing all he can to destroy people. Therefore, this looking out for one another’s good is not meant to be comfortable, convenient or safe. War has discomfort, sacrifice and suffering.
Too often we equate suffering as something not going right. How wrong that can be. Of course, if we suffer because we have strayed from God’s will, as we all do too often, that is not beneficial suffering. But, God will often will lead us into an assignment to look out for the good of someone and suffering will result. There is a formula for such times:
So then, those who suffer according to God’s will
should commit themselves to their faithful Creator
and continue to do good.
1 Peter 4:19
should commit themselves to their faithful Creator
and continue to do good.
1 Peter 4:19
Let’s not let suffering get in the way of looking out for one another. In fact, as said biblically above, doing good is the way to deal with suffering. So, let’s examine more what looking out for one another’s good entails.
Looking out for one another’s good means that we want the best for Christians, especially our closer friends and family members, but not exclusively. We are not called just to care in our hearts, but to make sure that what is truly good and essential is made available by us or by others. A few examples might help.
Are others getting enough rest or are they too busy and neglecting their own needs and/or the relationship needs of their spouse and children? Are elderly people whose kids do not visit very often lonely? Do friends or relatives feel important in their families and in the fellowship of Christians? Do they know the joy of living for God rather than for themselves?
Our own lives are not to be autonomous. We are to be in interdependent relationship with those Christians with whom we are close. Our sense of well-being should be linked to whether everyone receives essential good. How wrong to huddle in our own comfort while others are facing the fiery darts of the devil.
Let’s remember the war. Let’s defeat Satan. Let’s join Jesus in his conquest. To do so, we must remember two things.
First, Jesus wants to use us to help Him as He undoes the evil that Satan has sown into the world. We cannot do anything about the evil one’s main work, that of infecting all humankind with sin. Only God could undo the disastrous result of such sin by Jesus dying on the cross. But, we can be involved in destroying many of the effects that result from sin.
Looking out for one another’s good means that we want the best for Christians, especially our closer friends and family members, but not exclusively. We are not called just to care in our hearts, but to make sure that what is truly good and essential is made available by us or by others. A few examples might help.
Are others getting enough rest or are they too busy and neglecting their own needs and/or the relationship needs of their spouse and children? Are elderly people whose kids do not visit very often lonely? Do friends or relatives feel important in their families and in the fellowship of Christians? Do they know the joy of living for God rather than for themselves?
Our own lives are not to be autonomous. We are to be in interdependent relationship with those Christians with whom we are close. Our sense of well-being should be linked to whether everyone receives essential good. How wrong to huddle in our own comfort while others are facing the fiery darts of the devil.
Let’s remember the war. Let’s defeat Satan. Let’s join Jesus in his conquest. To do so, we must remember two things.
First, Jesus wants to use us to help Him as He undoes the evil that Satan has sown into the world. We cannot do anything about the evil one’s main work, that of infecting all humankind with sin. Only God could undo the disastrous result of such sin by Jesus dying on the cross. But, we can be involved in destroying many of the effects that result from sin.
The one who does what is sinful is of the devil,
because the devil has been sinning from the beginning.
The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.
1 John 3:8
because the devil has been sinning from the beginning.
The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.
1 John 3:8
Second, we need to remember that we have the ability to figure out what evil the devil is doing.
. . . in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.
2 Cor 2:11
2 Cor 2:11
The scheme the apostle Paul was talking about in this passage was the devil’s strategy to have us not forgive one another when we hurt each other. However, it is clearly stated that the devil has many schemes, since the word is in the plural.
Therefore, we are able, with dedication to Jesus and help from the Holy Spirit to see what Satan is doing to dishonor God and make like difficult for people. This means spotting the evil designs of the devil and invoking those Togethers necessary to “destroy the devil’s work”.
When I am with my best friends, I am aware of most everyone they have mentioned to me who are important to them. To do less, would be to abandon my friends. I am not just talking about their family members. Having kept an “ear to the ground” when they are talking, I try to determine who is in their Christian Inner Circle as well as those non-believers important to them. If given a chance, I can pray or offer suggestions. I can also ask questions that might spur them into action on behalf of some family member or friend, often someone I do not know or have much contact.
In a Christian family, looking out for one another’s good should be rather automatic. Further, do the parents keep in mind what good is needed in the friends of their children? Would this lead to specific prayers when the family prays before meals? Might this be a reason to eat together rather than in front of the television? Would this make faith more than just a system of beliefs? Might this encourage teens to not discard their faith once they get out of high school, as is happening to so many of them presently?
Husbands and wives without children have a great opportunity to look out for the good of other Christians they each know in their neighborhood or at work. Since this command is not addressing just any good, but only the more important good deeds that are needed, a married couple can easily help someone one Saturday a month. In such a way, they can expand the purpose of their marriage and gain added satisfaction.
We can fight the good fight of the faith (1 Tim 6:12) by looking out for one another’s good.
How in the Sinful Environment this Together Prepares Us for Heaven
Therefore, we are able, with dedication to Jesus and help from the Holy Spirit to see what Satan is doing to dishonor God and make like difficult for people. This means spotting the evil designs of the devil and invoking those Togethers necessary to “destroy the devil’s work”.
When I am with my best friends, I am aware of most everyone they have mentioned to me who are important to them. To do less, would be to abandon my friends. I am not just talking about their family members. Having kept an “ear to the ground” when they are talking, I try to determine who is in their Christian Inner Circle as well as those non-believers important to them. If given a chance, I can pray or offer suggestions. I can also ask questions that might spur them into action on behalf of some family member or friend, often someone I do not know or have much contact.
In a Christian family, looking out for one another’s good should be rather automatic. Further, do the parents keep in mind what good is needed in the friends of their children? Would this lead to specific prayers when the family prays before meals? Might this be a reason to eat together rather than in front of the television? Would this make faith more than just a system of beliefs? Might this encourage teens to not discard their faith once they get out of high school, as is happening to so many of them presently?
Husbands and wives without children have a great opportunity to look out for the good of other Christians they each know in their neighborhood or at work. Since this command is not addressing just any good, but only the more important good deeds that are needed, a married couple can easily help someone one Saturday a month. In such a way, they can expand the purpose of their marriage and gain added satisfaction.
We can fight the good fight of the faith (1 Tim 6:12) by looking out for one another’s good.
How in the Sinful Environment this Together Prepares Us for Heaven
When Blake and Aubrey found themselves with an empty nest after 24 years of raising their children, they decided they needed a new focus. After asking Jesus what He wanted them to spend time on, they began to sense a strong desire to become more helpful to each other. Going full speed from work to one thing after another with their sons' and daughters' families left little time to look out for each other’s good.
Contemplating each other’s lives finally opened their eyes to how evil had affected one another in subtle ways. Instead of being irritated with each other as in the past, they began to see the darkness that gripped their individual and marital happiness. This heightened sense of past and present damage done them by Satan got them doing things that would actually help and liberate. Blake and Aubrey saw that God had lightened their loads and healed some emotional struggles through their more focused loving actions. Each could see the absence of that heavy dark cloud hanging over their spouse, and it was wonderful. Little did they know that in facing evil in order to defeat it, they were seeing darkness that would heighten their senses to see more light in heaven when the darkness of sin was gone. |
The process of looking out for one another’s good is great preparation for developing the keenest of senses with respect to appreciating the absence of sin in heaven. Never again will we have the opportunity to see evil firsthand in its many aspects as will be necessary if we closely watch out for the good of those in our Christian Inner Circles and beyond them to our Christian acquaintances.
Perhaps an illustration from my friend Ray will open the doors to understanding the possibility of increased perception of goodness in heaven by thinking more deeply about the sinfulness and imperfections of this world in which we now live.
Ray grew up in Southern California and stayed there into adulthood. Then he moved to Colorado. I remember Ray raving about the clear air in Colorado when we would spend a day in the mountains. He would compare it to terrible Los Angeles smog that cut off long-range views and pleasant breathing. I did not then, nor do I now so appreciate the clean air around me. Ray can because he experienced and paid attention to the smog when he was younger.
Looking out for what will truly be good for others now requires inspection and assessment, preferably in groups of two or three Christians with Jesus who promises to be there in such a small gathering. That close look to find what others need in the way of “good” will expose the sinister schemes of the devil and sin. This will, in turn, make us so much more aware of its absence in heaven.
Even though we want most to just enjoy our friendships, biblically we have far more responsibility for one another’s good. Each friend has been damaged by their own sin and the sin of those who have been involved in his or her life. Every childhood, even at its best, has good parents who are sinful, passing on family ways that hurt. So much more often, parents are not so perfect in their parenting and more damage has been done.
Even if what the good we can do will not set a person free, we still need to look deeply at how sin has damaged them. Watch closely for that behavior you wish was not there. Notice the work of the devil. See the pain of fractured family relationships. Don’t turn away your attention. Don’t protect yourself from the pain.
Walk into the storm of helping people not just to alleviate them, but also to increase your perceptive abilities for heaven. By being “up close and personal” with struggles against sin and evil, especially in relationships, you are preparing to have more joy in heaven. You want to go to heaven and see each person without the torment of sin and be able to jump much higher with joy because of greater perception and appreciation of the absence of sin.
If we train our senses, we perceive more. We build our ability to sense purity by hearing the brash noise of sin. Everything in heaven can then be clearer, more dynamically perceived. This will enable us to sense purity and holiness more than if we did not pay attention and fight sin. We even prepare ourselves to notice more deeply even God’s invisible presence.
How this Together Can Make it Really Good in Heaven
Perhaps an illustration from my friend Ray will open the doors to understanding the possibility of increased perception of goodness in heaven by thinking more deeply about the sinfulness and imperfections of this world in which we now live.
Ray grew up in Southern California and stayed there into adulthood. Then he moved to Colorado. I remember Ray raving about the clear air in Colorado when we would spend a day in the mountains. He would compare it to terrible Los Angeles smog that cut off long-range views and pleasant breathing. I did not then, nor do I now so appreciate the clean air around me. Ray can because he experienced and paid attention to the smog when he was younger.
Looking out for what will truly be good for others now requires inspection and assessment, preferably in groups of two or three Christians with Jesus who promises to be there in such a small gathering. That close look to find what others need in the way of “good” will expose the sinister schemes of the devil and sin. This will, in turn, make us so much more aware of its absence in heaven.
Even though we want most to just enjoy our friendships, biblically we have far more responsibility for one another’s good. Each friend has been damaged by their own sin and the sin of those who have been involved in his or her life. Every childhood, even at its best, has good parents who are sinful, passing on family ways that hurt. So much more often, parents are not so perfect in their parenting and more damage has been done.
Even if what the good we can do will not set a person free, we still need to look deeply at how sin has damaged them. Watch closely for that behavior you wish was not there. Notice the work of the devil. See the pain of fractured family relationships. Don’t turn away your attention. Don’t protect yourself from the pain.
Walk into the storm of helping people not just to alleviate them, but also to increase your perceptive abilities for heaven. By being “up close and personal” with struggles against sin and evil, especially in relationships, you are preparing to have more joy in heaven. You want to go to heaven and see each person without the torment of sin and be able to jump much higher with joy because of greater perception and appreciation of the absence of sin.
If we train our senses, we perceive more. We build our ability to sense purity by hearing the brash noise of sin. Everything in heaven can then be clearer, more dynamically perceived. This will enable us to sense purity and holiness more than if we did not pay attention and fight sin. We even prepare ourselves to notice more deeply even God’s invisible presence.
How this Together Can Make it Really Good in Heaven
Ashley and Camille arrive in heaven side-by-side, as they have just died on the highway traveling on a long-awaited vacation. They did not stick around, of course, to find out the reason that truck crossed the highway and hit them head-on.
Their friendship has continued in heaven and just recently God finally created the new heaven and the new earth. They are standing with their newly resurrected bodies for the first time in a beautiful pastoral scene filled with cottages and the brightest green grass. There on a lawn is a cheetah and antelope comfortably wandering near each other without alarm. |
The wolf will live with the lamb,
the leopard will lie down with the goat,
the calf and the lion and the yearling together;
and a little child will lead them.
The cow will feed with the bear,
their young will lie down together,
and the lion will eat straw like the ox.
The infant will play near the cobra’s den,
and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest.
They will neither harm nor destroy
on all my holy mountain,
for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord
as the waters cover the sea.
Isaiah 11:6-11
the leopard will lie down with the goat,
the calf and the lion and the yearling together;
and a little child will lead them.
The cow will feed with the bear,
their young will lie down together,
and the lion will eat straw like the ox.
The infant will play near the cobra’s den,
and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest.
They will neither harm nor destroy
on all my holy mountain,
for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord
as the waters cover the sea.
Isaiah 11:6-11
Camille is surprised and delighted. She finds it cute, the two previous enemies now being friends. But, Ashley is so overwhelmed by what she is seeing that she cannot talk. The difference in the reaction of these two good friends is that Ashley watched a coyote grab her little dog, kill and eat it right in the field behind her home where she had let her pet loose to frolic. Ashley had observed the result of mankind’s sin back in the Garden of Eden manifest in natural violence. No matter that it was necessary for the coyote’s survival, at that moment she did not care about the ways of nature and was torn apart by the savagery. Now! Yes, now she could sense the absence of sin in a new way, one that could only be described to her friend.
It was like long ago when they ate lunch together at work after a weekend of fun with their families. Camille would excitedly tell of a trip to some historical place with a pleasure that Ashley could understand only to a point. She could not feel what Camille was feeling. She had to be there in the actual experience to perceive what Camille was reporting. She could still enjoy it, just not nearly as much as her friend. And, so, Camille now listened to Ashley at how wonderful it was to see the cheetah and antelope together in peace. But she could not match the sparkle in Ashley’s eyes. |
Imagine what it will be like living with people in heaven in the pure absence of sin. How wonderful will it be to not worry if something you say will be taken the wrong way? Will it not be great to never have anyone trying to “one-up” you or make you feel less valuable?
These are just two of thousands of relationship benefits in heaven because sin will not be there. God will have ushered us into a sinless environment infused with His presence that will not only amaze us, but also heal us.
If one of us grew up in a very critical home and spent our whole life worried if we were going to make a mistake and have someone unhappy with us, just think of what it will be like to not have even a whisper of such anxiety. And, if we have similar friends, how joyful it will be to see them relaxed and comfortable with themselves!
These unhindered relationship joys will be every bit as wonderful as the absence of sin in physical things. Fortunately, we will not have to choose in heaven, but if we had to, which would you select, a pure river clear as glass in place of the muddy one that ran through your city filled with industrial waste or everyone completely happy with who you are? Hopefully, you selected the second. But the good news is that you will have both.
It is easy to imagine a physical world without sin. And, how excellent that will be. No trash on the hiking trail. No graffiti on the concrete. No automobile accidents.
But, let’s get a grasp on the even more amazing purity of relationships. Since heaven is more about relationships than other experiences, let’s wrap our minds around the possibilities. (Yes, heaven will be more about our relationship with God than standing next to him or seeing Him on His throne.) So, try to consider relationships completely devoid of problems and what they will then be like.
Think of each close friend or relative and how wonderful the sinlessness of heavenly relationships will be for them. If some of your friends are spoiled rotten and struggle whenever they do not get what they want, can you see them not experiencing such disappointment? If you have a friend who had to get attention by being bossy, can you see him exhibiting pleasant behavior and automatically getting the proper dose of affirming consideration? If you have a child who set such far-reaching goals that she put unbearable pressure upon herself, won’t it be delightful seeing her in heaven without that stressful drive to achieve?
You do realize that this list could go on for pages and pages, don’t you? The breadth of the wonderfulness of heaven will open up for us each time we look out for the good of someone we care about. We will see ways in which evil taunts them. We will do all we can to alleviate harmful things and bring the necessary good things into their lives. And, when we see those in our Christian Inner Circles in heaven, we will be more aware of the contrast. Susie under the weight of sin versus Susie surrounded by grace and glory!
Yes, the more we let go of some present earthly pleasures and get down in the trenches of life with others, the more potent will be our experience in heaven. Forever. And, if not done now, how can such contrast of glory with sin-contamination develop? It can’t in heaven. You will be able to be taught only so much because you will have to have been there to sense it rather than just learn about it.
Opportunity for a Closer Relationship with God through Empathy
These are just two of thousands of relationship benefits in heaven because sin will not be there. God will have ushered us into a sinless environment infused with His presence that will not only amaze us, but also heal us.
If one of us grew up in a very critical home and spent our whole life worried if we were going to make a mistake and have someone unhappy with us, just think of what it will be like to not have even a whisper of such anxiety. And, if we have similar friends, how joyful it will be to see them relaxed and comfortable with themselves!
These unhindered relationship joys will be every bit as wonderful as the absence of sin in physical things. Fortunately, we will not have to choose in heaven, but if we had to, which would you select, a pure river clear as glass in place of the muddy one that ran through your city filled with industrial waste or everyone completely happy with who you are? Hopefully, you selected the second. But the good news is that you will have both.
It is easy to imagine a physical world without sin. And, how excellent that will be. No trash on the hiking trail. No graffiti on the concrete. No automobile accidents.
But, let’s get a grasp on the even more amazing purity of relationships. Since heaven is more about relationships than other experiences, let’s wrap our minds around the possibilities. (Yes, heaven will be more about our relationship with God than standing next to him or seeing Him on His throne.) So, try to consider relationships completely devoid of problems and what they will then be like.
Think of each close friend or relative and how wonderful the sinlessness of heavenly relationships will be for them. If some of your friends are spoiled rotten and struggle whenever they do not get what they want, can you see them not experiencing such disappointment? If you have a friend who had to get attention by being bossy, can you see him exhibiting pleasant behavior and automatically getting the proper dose of affirming consideration? If you have a child who set such far-reaching goals that she put unbearable pressure upon herself, won’t it be delightful seeing her in heaven without that stressful drive to achieve?
You do realize that this list could go on for pages and pages, don’t you? The breadth of the wonderfulness of heaven will open up for us each time we look out for the good of someone we care about. We will see ways in which evil taunts them. We will do all we can to alleviate harmful things and bring the necessary good things into their lives. And, when we see those in our Christian Inner Circles in heaven, we will be more aware of the contrast. Susie under the weight of sin versus Susie surrounded by grace and glory!
Yes, the more we let go of some present earthly pleasures and get down in the trenches of life with others, the more potent will be our experience in heaven. Forever. And, if not done now, how can such contrast of glory with sin-contamination develop? It can’t in heaven. You will be able to be taught only so much because you will have to have been there to sense it rather than just learn about it.
Opportunity for a Closer Relationship with God through Empathy
Mildred was 75-years-old when it dawned on her that most of her Christian life had been self-focused. Even helping others had been limited to only those ways she found enjoyable and comfortable. It might be said that Mildred “found herself” when her health began to fail her and she had more time on her hands, homebound by illnesses and aches and pains.
It was then that she saw the real-world impact of sin on those she loved and all the people she had gone to church with over the years. Previously, when she heard of a person struggling with something, she would just offer up a simple prayer for God’s intervention. Now, sitting in her easy chair with less energy, she pondered the situation each person was in, analyzing the impact that evil people and sinful culture imposed. Then she would talk over with God what was needed for the good of the person or family. She prayed powerfully for that needed good. At last, she was preparing for heaven. At last she was looking out for the good of others selflessly. While it may have seemed to her family and friends that Mildred was “wasting away” in her last years, she was growing in her spirit. Because her body was letting go and her spirit steadily embracing the freedom soon to come, she spent less attention on worldly cares. This was eliminating the contaminating blindness to evil, and she was more able to sense the tragedy of sin. She began to yearn passionately for the absence of sin that would be in heaven. As Mildred fought sin affecting others through her prayers, God revealed to her the deliverance from hurt and defeat that would ultimately come for all her Christian friends and family. She could feel God’s presence more and more as fighting sin separated her more from it. Now Mildred is in heaven. Now, all of her senses are not at all hindered because there is no sin blocking her relationship with her Creator and her enjoyment of His creations. It reminds her of the children’s joy in the story, “The Last Battle”, written by C. S. Lewis wherein Aslan the lion says exuberantly to the children who have died, whose senses have finally been fully opened, “The dream is ended: this is the morning.” Her spiritual senses being totally unleashed from the bonds of sin, Mildred is constantly with her Lord. She only once in a while sees God with her eyes, but even then it does not add much to being with Him. She is always aware of Him, feeling from the inside His presence and pure love for her. |
How much closer will we be to God in relationship if we have seen close-up, as under a microscope, all of the sin and evil of this world because we more diligently looked out for one another’s good? When we arrive in heaven we will sense the absence of evil, but the depth of our perception of its absence will be proportional to how much evil we paid attention to before death. (We can’t miss something we have been unaware of.) Looking out for one another’s good at deeper levels requires seeing evil more clearly. Later in heaven this will result in a heightened sense of its absence. We will be more able to perceive purity in our spirit as well as through our physical senses of sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste.
But far more wonderful, a keener sense of purity will allow us to sense God’s presence more acutely, more vigorously, stronger.
Right now sin decreases our ability to fully sense God’s nearness. We diligently try to experience His presence by knowing about Him, reminding ourselves that He is present, and then consciously reaching out to Him and being open to His reaching out to us. But, this is limited and not as natural as it will be in heaven where sin does not cloud our senses.
We want to see God in heaven, and we definitely will. But, will it be most potent with our eyes or within our spirits? What if being with Him is superior to seeing Him? And, what if He is present everywhere as He is right now, and still limited visually to being in one place at a time? Are we imagining that when we are at the Great Banquet we will see a Jesus standing next to every guest? At best, I can envision Him getting around to everyone one-at-a-time, “working the room” so-to-speak.
There is another strong possibility of how all of the redeemed in heaven will be able to be with God at the same time. It is related to the fact that we all can do that now. Seeing God visually might not be the way there anymore than it is here. But, being with Him, sensing Him at our side, can be so much more vivid in heaven where there is no veil of sin.
We might ask ourselves if a blind friend in a small group Bible study is more aware of the other people or less than those of us with sight. If we think that the main way to be with people is to be able to see them, then we have to conclude that all of us are more “with” others than the blind person. That just might not be so. Instead, the blind person will not be so disconnected from others by all the distractions that sight imposes. This blind person will probably be more aware of us, hearing us breathe, listening to the sighs that will be imperceptible to others, feeling physical nearness by sensing body heat.
We will probably not need to see God visually in heaven to be as close to Him as we would be if we could see Him visually now. Without the distraction of sin, we will have spiritual sensitivity we cannot have now. Like the blind person, we will be much more “tuned in” to God without sin. And we will not need to “see” Him to “be” with Him. Since God is Spirit, we are now and all eternity to be with Him in spirit.
But far more wonderful, a keener sense of purity will allow us to sense God’s presence more acutely, more vigorously, stronger.
Right now sin decreases our ability to fully sense God’s nearness. We diligently try to experience His presence by knowing about Him, reminding ourselves that He is present, and then consciously reaching out to Him and being open to His reaching out to us. But, this is limited and not as natural as it will be in heaven where sin does not cloud our senses.
We want to see God in heaven, and we definitely will. But, will it be most potent with our eyes or within our spirits? What if being with Him is superior to seeing Him? And, what if He is present everywhere as He is right now, and still limited visually to being in one place at a time? Are we imagining that when we are at the Great Banquet we will see a Jesus standing next to every guest? At best, I can envision Him getting around to everyone one-at-a-time, “working the room” so-to-speak.
There is another strong possibility of how all of the redeemed in heaven will be able to be with God at the same time. It is related to the fact that we all can do that now. Seeing God visually might not be the way there anymore than it is here. But, being with Him, sensing Him at our side, can be so much more vivid in heaven where there is no veil of sin.
We might ask ourselves if a blind friend in a small group Bible study is more aware of the other people or less than those of us with sight. If we think that the main way to be with people is to be able to see them, then we have to conclude that all of us are more “with” others than the blind person. That just might not be so. Instead, the blind person will not be so disconnected from others by all the distractions that sight imposes. This blind person will probably be more aware of us, hearing us breathe, listening to the sighs that will be imperceptible to others, feeling physical nearness by sensing body heat.
We will probably not need to see God visually in heaven to be as close to Him as we would be if we could see Him visually now. Without the distraction of sin, we will have spiritual sensitivity we cannot have now. Like the blind person, we will be much more “tuned in” to God without sin. And we will not need to “see” Him to “be” with Him. Since God is Spirit, we are now and all eternity to be with Him in spirit.
God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.
John 4:24 (NEV)
John 4:24 (NEV)
Jesus had just told the Samaritan woman that the time was coming when God’s people would not worship Him in one place or the other, meaning not so much physically, but inside, internally, in their spirits. Why would it be any different in heaven? We need to at least give consideration that being with God is not as dependent upon seeing Him visually as in sensing Him spiritually.
Occasionally we have felt this heightened sense of non-visual closeness when we are with someone we love and our attention is not on seeing them. We are in a theater watching a great movie, and yet we have a really nice feeling that the one we love, or even a very close friend, is with us and sitting by our side. Maybe it is like that when we are dying in a hospital bed surrounded by those we love. While they are sad and near us, perhaps with our eyes closed and our physical strength waning, we are, like the blind person, acutely aware of them and are with them more intensely than ever.
If this makes sense, then everything that intensifies our recognition of the absence of sin will give us an increased awareness of God. Let’s look out for one another. In the process we will see sin in its pure nastiness so that in heaven we will be more keenly aware of its absence. Such increased perception can only help us experience God more.
Praise and Prayer Regarding this Together
Occasionally we have felt this heightened sense of non-visual closeness when we are with someone we love and our attention is not on seeing them. We are in a theater watching a great movie, and yet we have a really nice feeling that the one we love, or even a very close friend, is with us and sitting by our side. Maybe it is like that when we are dying in a hospital bed surrounded by those we love. While they are sad and near us, perhaps with our eyes closed and our physical strength waning, we are, like the blind person, acutely aware of them and are with them more intensely than ever.
If this makes sense, then everything that intensifies our recognition of the absence of sin will give us an increased awareness of God. Let’s look out for one another. In the process we will see sin in its pure nastiness so that in heaven we will be more keenly aware of its absence. Such increased perception can only help us experience God more.
Praise and Prayer Regarding this Together
I and those in my Christian Inner Circle will need Your help to grow our spirits to look out for one another’s good. Help us to yield to the work of the Holy Spirit for all of us to give You more glory in the way we watch out for one another.
Please help us all to become more like Jesus and work with other Christians to see that believers get the good things they need for physical security, for their relationships, and for their spiritual growth, whether or not they are seeking them. Everything Jesus did was for the good of others, we want to be like Him in this way.
Help us to reflect back to You Your nature which always looks out for our good. Help us, like You, to always have the good of others in mind as we interact with them.
Make us strong in Your power to defeat the devil so that we take the battle to the front lines where Satan is doing all he can to destroy people. Help us to be soldiers against evil and to not be so concerned about our own safety and comfort. Let us see clearly the “good” that each person needs to overcome evil’s harm.
Help us all to prepare for heaven by growing more completely to look out for the good of others, as in heaven we will need to do that continually. Make us sensitive to the good others need because they have been afflicted by evil. Then, we will be exuberant in heaven to see the absence of hurt and that no healing love is necessary.
Please help us all to become more like Jesus and work with other Christians to see that believers get the good things they need for physical security, for their relationships, and for their spiritual growth, whether or not they are seeking them. Everything Jesus did was for the good of others, we want to be like Him in this way.
Help us to reflect back to You Your nature which always looks out for our good. Help us, like You, to always have the good of others in mind as we interact with them.
Make us strong in Your power to defeat the devil so that we take the battle to the front lines where Satan is doing all he can to destroy people. Help us to be soldiers against evil and to not be so concerned about our own safety and comfort. Let us see clearly the “good” that each person needs to overcome evil’s harm.
Help us all to prepare for heaven by growing more completely to look out for the good of others, as in heaven we will need to do that continually. Make us sensitive to the good others need because they have been afflicted by evil. Then, we will be exuberant in heaven to see the absence of hurt and that no healing love is necessary.
Ever increasing practice of the Togethers of Scripture will (1) create in you the loving essence of Jesus, (2) give Jesus the kind of love He requested, (3) provide you with the most significant spiritual lifestyle which is attainable only through Christian community, (4) offer significant worship to God by reflecting his own character back to him through your behavior, and (5) bring God’s kingdom to earth as asked for in the Lord’s Prayer. And for heaven, such growing obedience to Scripture now will later (6) qualify you for a more responsible place of service as reward in heaven, and, (7) most important of all, give you greater empathy with God for a closer relationship with Him for all of eternity.