The Greatest Thing in The World – and Beyond

What is the greatest thing that ever happened to you in your life, that which caused the greatest rejoicing in your heart and celebration in your soul; that which was so wonderful that others rejoiced in rejoicing with you? Was it your wedding day or the birth of your first child? Was it your graduation from college and obtaining the job you always wanted? Or, was it the purchase of your dream home or car, or a good report from the doctor after undergoing tests for cancer or COVID?

Over the past few days, we have heard news reports of people winning 700 million and a Billion dollars in the Mega Millions and Power Ball lotteries.  Undoubtedly there was great rejoicing and celebration by the winners with their friends and family, as well as the vender who sold the tickets who will receive a tidy sum for doing so.

There are many opportunities to experience great joy and celebration in this world that God grants to us through His common grace.  He does so despite our sin and the uncertainties, sufferings and sorrow that comes into every life in a fallen world.  However, as my wise grandmother used to say, the excitement and anticipation of many of these events is greater than their realization, meaning that we can succumb to the excitement of good things to come without being properly prepared for the reality that these hoped for moments ultimately may not fulfill the expectations we have of them, and that our rejoicing may not extend beyond the moment.  And hanging over all of us is the specter of death, which can come into our lives at any time, all of which make our rejoicing and celebrations in this world short lived, even if we win a Billion dollars.

However, there is one great event, one great opportunity a person can rejoice in and celebrate while in this world, wherein the realization WILL BE greater than the anticipation, and that is the day when we entrust our lives to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.  The Bible tells us that on that day there was/will be rejoicing not only in our hearts, but in Heaven by the angels and all who presently reside there – and rightfully so (Luke 15:8-10).

I mean, what could be a greater event, a greater hope, than for a person living under the just condemnation of God for their sin (John 3:18) to be “saved” by the grace of God through faith in Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-10) from God’s wrath and judgment; rescued from the eternal damnation that all mankind has earned and deserve because of our sin,  and instead be granted by God the gift of eternal life (Romans 6:23), the glorious life with God for which mankind was created, even though we have not and could not ever do anything to earn or deserve  or manufacture that life for ourselves (Romans 3:19-20).

And what possibly could provoke in us more hope and excitement, more anticipatory joy and peace, than the promise of Heaven to a people who live in a world that images so much of Hell (Luke 10:20)?

And what could possibly be of more value and bring greater present and eternal joy to your heart than to know that you are freely loved by the most glorious, most desirable, most excellent, most awesome and most valuable Being in the universe, our Lord Jesus, who demonstrated that love on the cross at Calvary, a love that He will never withhold nor allow you to be separated from (Romans 8:38)?

And, what could be more wonderful and motivating to your living a holy life (Hebrews 12:14), a life that pleases and honors and glorifies God, than to know that you have been declared righteous (2 Corinthians 5:20-21), able to stand in God’s glorious presence without shame or guilt, adopted to be an heir (Romans 8:17), a beloved beneficiary of all that the infinitely good and wise and  powerful eternal God can and will give to and do for those who have trusted in his love (Romans 8:32)?   This includes not only the forgiveness of all your sins, past, present and future (Ephesians 1:7),  but also the working of all of the circumstances of your life in this world for your ultimate and eternal good (Romans 8:28), culminating with your glorious entrance into Heaven at your death (2 Corinthians 5:8), wherein you will immediately be conformed in your nature and character to that of Jesus Christ (1 John 3:1-2), awaiting the resurrection of your body to the beauty and perfection of Jesus’ glorified body (Philippians 3:20-21), living in a new heaven and new earth of unimaginable beauty and delight (Revelation 21:1-4), in the intimate presence of God where we will know only fullness of joy and ever increasing pleasures forevermore (Psalm 16:11).

I pray that this post will help provide those of you who know Jesus as your Savior and Lord, the comfort, encouragement and peace you need to persevere through the difficult times of this present evil world (Galatians 1:4) with great anticipation of the day of the realization of all that God has promised to those who love Him (1 Corinthians 2:9).  And for those who may read this who are not living in joyful anticipation of the fulfilment of these exceeding great and precious promises we have in and through trusting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior (2 Corinthians 1:20), I pray that God would illuminate your mind to the truth of this glorious life and world of never-ending rejoicing in intimate relationship with Him, beginning today (2 Corinthians 6:2).

Grace and Peace ×