For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:10

I once chatted with the English driver of a black cab who was taking me around central London. I asked him if he believed in God. He said, “Certainly not. I do not believe in God. “Then I asked him, “Do you believe there is a Hell? ”Of course not!” he retorted. I continued, “Do you believe in Heaven? ”I do not believe in any such thing.” Then the cab driver said to me, “Let me ask you a question.” “Of course, feel free. Ask any question you want to,” I responded. He asked me, “Do you believe in Heaven?” “Of course I do,” I answered.

“Then let me ask you another question.” He asked, “If you believe you will go to Heaven, why don’t you just kill yourself and go to Heaven right now. After all you would escape all the bills, debts and problems of this world.” I was shocked. I had not expected such a question. But it seemed to make sense. If Heaven was so great, what was I still doing on earth? Why didn’t I just kill myself and go out of this miserable world right now. I thought to myself, “That’s a good question.” But before I had a chance to answer him, we arrived at our destination. Since that conversation with the cab driver, I have been answering his question to different congregations: Why we do not go to Heaven immediately after we are saved!

Even though God has touched our lives and given us the promise of Heaven, there is work to be done on earth. There are things to accomplish for God. God expects us to respond to His great love by giving ourselves to His work.

When we come to Jesus, He takes away our burden of sin and darkness and gives us His burden. “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. TAKE MY YOKE UPON YOU, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls” (Matthew 11:28-29). What is the burden of Christ? It is the burden of the lost souls of this world.

It is amazing that most Christians live out their lives without realizing that the reason for their being alive is so that they can do something for God. They are not alive so that they can build houses and acquire the good things of this world. They are not alive so that they can acquire more money and lay up treasures in this world. We have only one reason to be alive, and that is to serve the Saviour who gave up everything for us. It is a sad reality that much of the teaching in the body of Christ leads Christians away from their true purpose for being alive.

“Let’s think about our God, our Saviour and our King. The One who gave it all. He gave up everything…So we could be His friends.”1 I know that we rarely think about our Saviour and our King. We rarely think about the One who gave it all. That is why we rarely give up everything. That is why we are so barren and so fruitless in the kingdom.

Lyrics from Tommy Walker’s, Let’s Think about Our God.

by Dag Heward-Mills