In Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress," in the house of the Interpreter, Christian was shown a picture of the model he was to follow, and he says, "This was the fashion of it. It had eyes lifted up to Heaven, the best of Books in his hand, the Law of Truth was written upon his lips, the world was behind his back. It stood as if it pleaded with men, and a Crown of Gold did hang over his head."
Let us note the first thing about this man, HIS EYES WERE LIFTED UP TO HEAVEN.
Paul says, "Set your affections on things above, not on things upon the earth." Colossians 3:2
Jesus said, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt and where thieves break through and steal: For WHERE YOUR TREASURE IS, THERE WILL YOUR HEART BE ALSO." Matthew 6:19-21.
There is, of course, no use in telling anyone to keep looking up or to set their affection on things above, when they have no treasure up yonder. Their heart will only be here on earth, where their treasures are.
WHERE ARE YOUR TREASURES? HERE ON EARTH OR IN HEAVEN ABOVE?
The real Christian realizes that in this life he is running a race, and he runs with patience the race set before him, "LOOKING UNTO JESUS, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE THRONE OF GOD." Hebrews 12:2.
As we run we keep looking up to Jesus now at the right hand of God's throne in heaven. To the real Christian there is no greater treasure in heaven than the Son of God Himself. That is enough to keep our eyes attracted toward heaven, to keep us looking up.
In writing to Timothy Paul says, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but UNTO ALL THEM ALSO THAT LOVE HIS APPEARING." II Timothy 4: 7-8. If you love the Lord Jesus, you will love His appearing. You will be looking for and happy to see Him come, and Paul says there is laid up for you a crown of righteousness that Jesus will give you when He comes.
In Luke 21 Jesus is speaking of the last days when men's hearts are failing them for fear and the terrible things that are happening upon the earth. Says He, "When these things begin to come to pass, then LOOK UP, AND LIFT UP YOUR HEADS; FOR YOUR REDEMPTION DRAWETH NIGH." Luke 21:28.
Don't you think it's about time that we should all keep looking up?
WILL YOU TAKE A POSITIVE STAND FOR LANDMARK DOCTRINES, HISTORIC BAPTIST INDEPENDENCE AND DIRECT MISSION PRACTICE? THEN SIGN UP FOR A SUBSCRIPTION TO THIS PAPER AND SPREAD THE TRUTH AS IT IS IN THE WORD OF GOD.