Matters of Faith: On Earth As It Is In Heaven

2 Chronicles 31:21 (NRSV)

“And every work that he undertook in the service of the house of God, and in accordance with the law and the commandments, to seek his God, he did with all his heart; and he prospered.”
Romans 2:6-7 (NRSV)
“For he will repay according to each one’s deeds: to those who by patiently doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.”

“If a task has once begun, never leave it until it’s done. Be it big or be it small, do it well or not at all.” I remember my uncle telling me this on the stoop of my apartment building as we prepared for my father and his brother’s home going (funeral) service. Those words were etched in my heart for the rest of my life. Everything I attempt to do; I do my best to do it well.

Have you ever wondered why so much emphasis is placed on doing a good job no matter what? Unfortunately, many times we give our word and make a commitment to doing a thing with all our heart, only to fall short. All we then have to offer is an excuse. In a nutshell, the two texts cited speak to both the earthly and the eternal rewards awaiting those who “do it well.” In the second book of Chronicles, King Hezekiah could have done whatever he wanted with no fear. He could have followed in the footsteps of the evil King Ahaz who preceded him, but he chose to do good and make life better for those under his rulership. He chose a path of righteousness, and his goodness was rewarded. The Bible tells us that “he prospered.”

The New Testament text takes our doing to another level. It’s not just the prosperity we receive on earth, but the ultimate reward awaiting those who do good, which is eternal life. There is prosperity we receive on earth, then there is the gift that keeps on giving, everlasting life.

Note that both King Hezekiah and the people of the Roman church had to choose which path they would take. Their choice would determine their blessings on earth and in heaven. In the model prayer that Jesus shared with His disciples, He said, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” What we do on earth has eternal consequences. Let me be clear, if the good we do is not seeking to glorify God, it has no eternal benefit. We must learn to let God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Be Blessed +++

Rev. J. Loren Russell

Rev. J. Loren Russell is an associate minister at both Goodwill and The Greater Universal Baptist Churches in the Bronx, President/CEO of J Loren R Consulting, LLC providing Church Financial & Strategic Consulting, and hosts “Matters of Faith – The Radio Show” on Facebook LIVE, Mondays 8:00 – 10:00 PM. Be sure to Friend “Matters of Faith” on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Email us at mattersoffaith.mof@gmail.com. Order your copy of Matters of Faith: The Book at www.BookBlues.com.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email