What is it that charged the early church with passion and vision to be about the business of preaching the gospel? How, in the midst of all the suffering and persecution, did they stay so focused? And, not only focused but joyfully so?
I believe there is one answer to that question. I believe the following verse will make it clear:
Phil 3:20-4:1 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself. 4 Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved.
Their eyes were on eternity, and their hope was the reward that lay ahead of them in Heaven! Pure and simple.
I once read of an old preacher who said, by necessity, he withdrew from the world for an hour a day JUST TO MEDITATE ON HEAVEN! Wow! Why did he do that? Because he believer three things. First, that Heaven was really his home. Secondly, that the flesh, the devil, and the world, pulled his focus away from this reality in a strong way. Thirdly, that God really meant it when He said, “Set your minds on things above.”
How can I do that? Just a few suggestions…Read PILGRIM’S PROGRESS, the book of Revelation, Randy Alcorn’s HEAVEN, FOX’S BOOK OF MARTYRS. Meditate on Scriptures like those above, often. Finally, pray Jonathan Edward’s prayer often: “Lord, stamp eternity on my eyes!”