Heaven isn’t something that can be purchased with good deeds and sacrifices; rather, it can only be received by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. And if we truly desire to receive it we won’t obtain it by complaining about all of the things that we have to give up in order to have it, but by expressing gratitude to God for all of the wonderful things that He has done for us through Jesus Christ to make it an option. Hence it’s not so much a question of what has to be given up for heaven, but one of how thankful we are to God for giving us an opportunity to become citizens of His heavenly Kingdom.

Are you truly thankful to God for what He has accomplished for you? If so, why leave room for complaints about how He is directing your life? Wouldn’t it be better to thank Him instead? The attitude that we manifest towards God and others will be reflective of how much we value the gift that God has given to us through Jesus Christ. Thus it will disclose how near we really are to God–whether our hearts are one with His or if they still belong to the world.

Indeed, we must live in this world for now; but we also must demonstrate that we are not of it. That being said, let us take heed to the following counsel:

whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. (Philippians 4:8 NKJV)

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