The Realities of Heaven
The Christian view of heaven is founded on Scripture and accords with human longings, offering a promise of forgiveness and blessedness.
A.W. Tozer addresses the skepticism surrounding the Christian understanding of heaven, emphasizing that the hope of eternal bliss is deeply rooted in the revelations of Scripture. He argues that this hope aligns with the innate desires of the human heart, suggesting that God, who created those desires, also provides for their fulfillment. Tozer acknowledges the struggle believers face in envisioning their inheritance of heaven, often feeling unworthy due to their awareness of sin. However, he reassures that God's justice and faithfulness offer forgiveness and cleansing, allowing believers to embrace the promise of heaven.
Text
Much of the secularism and rationalism of our times dismisses the Christian view and teaching about heaven as "nothing more than hopeful thinking." But the Christian's promised hope of future blessedness is founded upon the fullest and plainest revelations of the Old and New Testaments. That it accords with the most sacred yearnings of the human breast does not weaken it, but serves rather to confirm the truth of it, since the One who made the heart might be expected also to make provision for the fulfillment of its deepest longings.
God's promises are made to the Christian believer, who generally has difficulty picturing himself as inheriting such bliss as the Scriptures describe.
The reason is not hard to discover, for the most godly Christian is the one who knows himself best, and no one who knows himself will believe that he deserves anything better than hell. But even justice is on his side, for it is written, "If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).
Sermon Outline
- The Christian View of Heaven
- The Problem of Self-Righteousness
- The Promise of Forgiveness
- Justice and Forgiveness
- Scriptural Basis (1 John 1:9)
Key Quotes
“That it accords with the most sacred yearnings of the human breast does not weaken it, but serves rather to confirm the truth of it, since the One who made the heart might be expected also to make provision for the fulfillment of its deepest longings.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- Recognize the difficulty of believing in heaven due to self-righteousness, but trust in God's promises and forgiveness.
- Acknowledge the role of justice in God's forgiveness, as stated in 1 John 1:9.
- Allow the Christian view of heaven to confirm and fulfill the deepest longings of your heart.