JP55: The Applause of Heaven: How To Cultivate An Eternal Soul In A Temporary Culture

"Life is a journey, not a destination."  This famous quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson typifies our temporary culture.  We often live like there's no life after death. Like Richard Carlson, self-help author of "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff," once said, "Now is the only time we have, and the only time we have any control over.”  

Yet, as image bearers of God, we are eternal beings, and our souls will live forever somewhere.  How do we cultivate an eternal soul that outlasts the constant impulse to live like there’s no tomorrow?

Notice how Jesus taught some friends struggling with the tension of living in the now and not yet.

I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.  “I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God. But whoever disowns me before others will be disowned before the angels of God.  (NIV, Luke 12:4–9)

Kill The Fear of Man

Sometimes, people we trust to respect our humanity have temporary control of our financial and personal security. And, in a broken world, those with authority can use fear to control, manipulate, and diminish our souls.  It's natural to fear those who can take away our jobs, our peace, our dignity, and even our lives.  

Thankfully, as our friend and King, Jesus says, we have nothing to fear.  In our deepest fears and anxieties, Jesus reminds us that He is sovereign and sees us.  

But, it takes practice to kill the fear of man.  James wrote the early church these instructions on where we start killing the fear of man.

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Jas 4:7–8.

The fear of man is rooted in our desire to please others first and God second.  Unless we flip this value system, the fear of man will always lurk in the shadows.

Divided allegiance leads us to compromise our character, find our worth in the opinions of others, and determine our value based on the shifting sand of popular culture.  

We are released from the fear of man when we submit ourselves to God and resist the devil's schemes that cause us to drift away from a loving God.

Nurture The Fear of God

Cultivating an eternal soul in a temporary culture is furthered when we nurture a healthy fear of the God who has authority over our souls.

Jesus knows that killing the fear of man is bettered when accompanied by a healthy fear of God that flows from understanding who He truly is and what motivates Him.

God the Father has authority over our eternal souls as our Creator.  He chooses our eternal destiny, whether in heaven or hell.  While there are people who can take our temporary lives on earth, only God has authority over the immortal soul.  For this reason, we live in the hope and trust of our Heavenly Father who serves as the sovereign shepherd and overseer of our souls. (1 Peter 2:25)

God loves you and wants to spend eternity with you.  God is aware of you and sees you at this very moment.  If God notices and cares for a host of sparrows, how much more does He notice and love you?

The God of a universe filled with galaxies beyond count knows you as a person and loves you even as he is aware of all the broken stuff that has come your way in this temporary life.  He longs for you to seek Him, love Him, and live with an eternal perspective.

Live The Eternal Perspective

When we choose to kill the fear of man and nurture a healthy fear of God, we find ourselves supernaturally living with an eternal perspective.  We approach each day mindful of that future moment when Jesus acknowledges us before the angels of heaven.  Their applause will be worth a lifetime of cultivating an eternal soul through the power and grace that the Father provides.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we love you.  Thank you for being the Good Shepherd and overseer of our souls.  Lead me away from the double-mindedness of friendship with this world.  Draw me toward a singular devotion to you and teach me how to live daily in a healthy fear of you and an eternal perspective.  Thank you for loving me and preparing a place where I will spend eternity with you.

Questions For Application:

1. In what areas of your life do you struggle with the fear of man?

2. How might the Holy Spirit lead you to give that fear to the Father?

3. What choices are the Spirit nudging you to change to live with an eternal perspective?

The Applause of Heaven: How To Cultivate An Eternal Soul In A Temporary Culture

1. Kill The Fear of Man

I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. v. 4.

2. Nurture A Healthy Fear of God

But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. 7 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. v. 5-7

3. Live With An Eternal Perspective

I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God. 9 But whoever disowns me before others will be disowned before the angels of God. v. 8-9

Photo by Gavin Allanwood on Unsplash