Dying will not solve our problems in any manner, except perhaps to relieve us from pain such as cancer. We will bring with us what we are and what we have done. If what we are and what we have done have been wrought in Jesus Christ, then we will have a reward. If we are found worthy to be brought into the Kingdom, and what we are and what we have done have not been wrought in Jesus Christ, then our works will be burned away but our naked spirit will be saved, just as Paul desired for the incestuous believer in Corinth.

There is a new world coming. The present physical universe will pass away with a great noise. But all that has been made new in Jesus Christ will be carried over into the new heaven and earth reign of Christ.

Those who through Jesus Christ have fought and overcome the enemy will inherit all that God has made new.

Best of all, God will be his God and he will be God's son.

Everything depends on overcoming, on conquering the enemy. The role of faith in Jesus Christ is to give us the grasp on God's faithfulness we must have if we are to press forward to total victory.

The great delusion of our day is that belief in and of itself is the act of overcoming and therefore the factor that brings the rewards assigned to the overcomer. This is not true. This is Gnosticism, an ancient rival of true Christianity. Gnosticism is what is preached today in the name of evangelicalism.

We must use our faith to actually drive the enemy from our Canaan.

When we think of going to Heaven we think of arriving in a perfect environment of love, joy, and peace. Sometimes we forget that love, joy, and peace are not found in a place but are the fruit of the indwelling Spirit of God. We often do not consider the areas of being and doing that must be conquered if we are to enjoy Paradise and to bring Paradise wherever we are.

But unless we obtain perfect union with Christ.

Unless we possess the authority and power to rule in Christ over our circumstances.

Unless we have been delivered from all behaviors that keep us in dread of being tormented by the Divine judgment.

Unless we are being kept supplied with the hidden manna.

Unless we have become a new creation and have a new name.

Unless we have received the nations and the farthest reaches of the earth as our inheritance.

Unless we have become a member of the royal priesthood and are qualified to participate in the first resurrection.

Unless we have the eternal assurance of life and are recognized in the Court of Heaven.

Unless we have become a pillar in the Temple of God.

Unless we belong to God.

Unless we have become a part of the new Jerusalem.

Unless we esteem being married to the Lamb as more desirable than preserving our own individuality.

Unless we are in daily communion with the Lord.

Unless we are sitting with Christ in His throne governing all the works of God's hands.

Unless we have inherited all that God has made new.

Unless God has become our God and we have become God's son.

Unless these things are true, we may be permitted into Paradise, but it will be a garden of delight that has come into existence through Christ in the faithful sons of God, that goes wherever the sons of God go, and is maintained by them.

To be continued.