If he were still on earth, July 13 would have been my dad’s 45th anniversary married to my mom.
While the physical event of his death almost 12 years ago was and is a nightmare that I try not to think about.
I believe spiritually it was a dream come true. My father died a Christian.
Everyday, there's something that reminds me of him when he was here.
My son is his namesake.
His favorite truck was given to me by my mom and sisters.
Genetically, he passed his rheumatoid arthritis down to me.
On and on I could go, but the fact is, he's not here. He's in eternity.
Therefore, I've tried to spend some time thinking about him there and not just his time here. It has me wondering: What would this world be like if everyone's heart was set on eternity?
First, hearts set on eternity would solve our problems of unity. I plead with you, do not fall into the media's trap of divisiveness.
Perhaps, more than ever, in a world where social media exists, we need to: "Be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath" (James 1:19). True unity can only be had by those who truly follow the Spirit's teachings.
Paul said, "I … beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:1–3).
If our hearts were set on eternity, this would be more readily accomplished.
Furthermore, hearts set on eternity would solve our problems of immunity.
We would still get sick. We would still have disease. We would still suffer death. However, none of these things would hinder us because of our immunity from sin and its condemnation.
Paul wrote, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit" (Romans 8:1).
This does not mean we will never sin as a Christian. This does not mean we are "once saved, always saved."
However, if we truly keep our hearts set on eternity as Jesus has prescribed, we will always be saved.
Finally, hearts set on eternity would solve ALL the problems of humanity.
If no one else needed saving, the Lord could return now.
"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9).
The fact that Jesus has not returned should remind us of His long-suffering and His desire to save as many as possible.
We do not know when He will return (2 Peter 3:10), but may He find our hearts set on eternity when He does!
Clifton Angel preaches for the Coldwater church of Christ in Coldwater, Miss.
