Future hope has always fuelled present action. Paul told the Romans, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18) To the Corinthian church, he said, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Cor 4:17-18) Contrary to the belief that ‘Christians are so heavenly-minded that they are no earthly good’, Christians have always sought to work out their salvation with fear and trembling, conscious of the great debt they owe God and eager to please Him in every way they can. Nonetheless, the anticipation of Paradise has always been part of the equation. We are not living for this life alone. “If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.” (1 Cor 15:19). There is far more to come.
The song ‘Paradise’ on Jeremy Camp’s new album looks ahead to the future hope we have.
“Can’t wait to walk along Your side
And feel the beauty of Your love
And the fullness of Your grace now
Can’t wait to finally be alive
To be in the place where I belong,
To know I’ve fought for what’s right
Can’t wait to walk the streets of gold
And see a lion with a lamb,
And colours that are untold
Can’t wait to look into Your face
And see the majesty and glory
That makes the Earth shake.”
The anticipation of what is ahead protects us from the attractions of the world, which seem so dazzling at times, but which are nothing compared to the glory that will be revealed in us:
“Don’t let this life take hold of my desires
And I won’t give up the fight
Cause one day I will be with You in paradise, paradise
But until that day, I will surrender all my life, all my life
We’ll sing Hallelujah, Hallelujah, every knee will bow and say
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, we’ll bring glory to Your name.” (‘Paradise’, Jeremy Camp)
‘Paradise’, Jeremy Camp