Close to Heaven

I Corinthians 2:9 states, “But as it is written, eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”

Paul was writing about the crucified life (verse 2). In verse 14 he states, “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

I was out fishing with a natural man on a beautiful lake early one pleasant morning. The fog had lifted and everything was still and peaceful. We both loved to fish. Nothing was biting at the moment he made the comment, “You can’t get any closer to Heaven than this.” He got great satisfaction from fishing, at which he was very good. I pondered his words; is this all Heaven is? Does he plan to go to Heaven? Is he being sacrilegious? Does he believe there is a Heaven? Was this just a phrase he used, not seriously thinking about Heaven? He knew he was fishing with a preacher. I think he was fishing for my thoughts about spiritual things. He may have realized I was fishing for him, too. 

A new season is beginning. Lord, give me the bait to land this natural man for You.

Paul mentions in this letter the wisdom of men versus the wisdom of God. When it comes to Heaven, God knows all about it. Man knows only what God has revealed to him. I heard an evangelist say that God’s purpose isn’t to bring man to Heaven, but to bring Heaven to man. I probably missed the point he was getting at. He did a great job of preaching the Gospel. The question in my mind was about Heaven. Heaven could mean a location, as many Bible verses support. Maybe he meant God’s presence in us as being “heaven.”

My wife makes a wonderful desert that we all love. It is called “Heaven Came Down.” We know that God sent manna from Heaven. Jesus Himself said, “I am the bread of life.” Just how much of Heaven do we get here and now, and how much is waiting for us after this mortal life is over?

In John 14:2 & 3, Jesus talked about mansions in His Father’s house. He said He was going to prepare a place for His disciples. He said that He would come back and get them and take them there to be with Him. Jesus also spoke in other Scriptures of rewards in Heaven. He also calls us to take up our cross daily and follow Him. Being forgiven may feel like Heaven.

In 1 Corinthians 2:9, Paul talked about things God has prepared for those who love Him—things that we have not seen yet. In verse 12, he says that we can know about these things; the “deep things of God” (verse 10). We can know these things by the Spirit of God dwelling in us. 

The natural man cannot see these things because he has only the spirit of the world.

I had another fishing experience with a Christian brother on the Columbia River, fishing for salmon. The weather was nice enough, but not breathtaking. We saw three natural men, overweight, fishing in a small aluminum boat. They threw out an anchor on the downstream side of the boat. It capsized, leaving men, beer bottles, and fishing tackle floating down the river. The men and the boat were rescued. 

Remember, this world is not Heaven. It is not enough to be close to Heaven!