Why Are You Still Here?

“Today you will be with me in paradise.”

Luke 23:43

The thief on the cross went from being an unbeliever, to being a believer, to being in heaven in a single day. Jesus could do this for every Christian if He wanted to. Imagine what that would be like: Every conversion on a Sunday morning would lead to a funeral on Monday!

Why doesn’t Jesus do that? Four out of five Christians will say, “He’s leaving us here to get us better prepared for heaven.” No. You are as ready for heaven on the day you commit to Christ as you will ever be. You get to heaven on the basis of your justification, not your sanctification.

So why does He leave us here? There can only be one answer: He has work for us to do. Do you see that the only reason you are not in heaven, if you are a Christian believer, is that He has work for you to do?

To those who die, Jesus says, “You will be with me.” To those who live, Jesus says, “I will be with you. I will never leave you; I will never forsake you.” Do you see the love of Christ there?

Have you made it your priority to carry out the work God has for you to do?