Spiritual Disciplines 4

We’re embarking on a journey, in our study of spiritual disciplines, and our destination is….wait for it…The Age to Come. Why does our eternal destination matter in a conversation about spiritual disciplines? Because the way of Jesus, doing life like Jesus would if he were me, is leading somewhere. It’s not just a way to live until you die. It’s not even a way to get to heaven, although avoiding hell is an important side benefit. The way of Jesus is leading to the age to come; the renewal of all things; the new heaven and new earth; the point in human history when Jesus, not to take us away to some other existence, but comes to make his permanent home here among us. 

 The other reason it matters is because of this truth: what you believe about your destination determines your commitment to the journey. If you truly believe what Scripture says about what’s ahead for those who are allegiant to Jesus, then it just might motivate you to stay on the path. Most parents understand the principle of making sure your child is both old enough and mature enough to entrust with the family car. No wise parent lets his11-year-old sit in the cockpit of a 2-ton guided missile. No airline lets a 16 year old with a private pilot’s license fly a 747. And no hospital lets a first year medical student perform brain surgery on a human being. So, God doesn’t let his kids have the keys to the kingdom without teaching them how to rule it first. 

Yes, rule.