When the Lord Jesus spoke about being born again to Nicodemus, He said, “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So, it is with everyone born of the Spirit” (John 3:8). Thus, the mark of the born-again person is having a firm goal—the Kingdom of Heaven—and that should be strongly expressed in their life. Many religions teach about heaven. They also perform outward acts that seem to indicate they are heading for heaven, delight in heaven, expect rewards in heaven, or have heaven as their goal. Yet they do not influence others. A Christian life should radiate light that makes heaven “visible” to others; through our lives, people can find the true purpose of life.
We must honestly admit that after years of being Christians, we have not yet radiated heaven as our life’s goal. Or if we have, it has not been strongly visible. We must be more earnest. Without many words, people should be able to sense that our lives point them to heaven. Frankly, not many lives today radiate the light that reveals the reality of the New Jerusalem. Colossians 3:1–4 says, “If then you were raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”
“We were raised” means we must first die. There is no life without death. The Bible clearly says we have died. We will never shine the light that helps others find heaven until we are truly raised. After someone is born again by the truth of the Word—remember that new birth is not a single point but a long line, a mysterious process—then he knows where his destination is. Only when we are raised—meaning we have died to the old life—can we understand.
Christians who have this kind of radical, positive attitude will surely radiate the glory of heaven in their lives. Those who long for heaven will seek such persons. But those who do not want salvation will find such people disturbing. Nevertheless, God wants us to live this way. If we do not reach that level of seriousness, we will not become a light. We still live in the world, but should not live according to the world. Do not be surprised if those who dislike the Kingdom of Heaven—or who are not willing to be militant and wholly for the Lord Jesus—call us extreme, excessive, or fanatical. Do not take such people’s words too seriously. We must honor the Lord’s Words. What we should think about is the glory shared with Christ.
Just as when we meet someone passionate about a hobby—say, fishing—seeing that person immediately reminds us of fishing, now ask: how will someone react when they see you? Will they immediately think of heaven? Even without seeing your face, when they hear your name, do they think of heaven? That is the picture of someone who truly is light. Their life so strongly radiates purpose that others are led to find the true goal.
We often insure a car that might not even be stolen. Why? To have certainty that if the car is lost, there is a replacement. Then, for something far more important—salvation—we should not act as if we are gambling with our fate. Yet honestly, many people lack assurance of salvation. What about you?