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What are some things in Heaven that are needed in the church?
1) Reverent Worship. The Apostle John wrote, “Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters”(Rev. 14:7). Members of the church of Christ ought to follow that same pattern in New Testament worship. Our worship must be rooted in a “fear” for the Lord and a desire to glorify Him. We must resist the temptation to elevate the desires of men over the dictates of God. Man is not the hub of praise and adoration. God is! When we worship the Lord in the manner in which he as specified, our worship is pleasing to Him and reverent.
2) Fellowship of All Races. Isn't it sad to learn of brethren who seek to classify the saved into carnal categories? Some insist on having black churches or white churches. However, in Heaven this division is not so. God has taught His church that in Heaven, “all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest” (Rev. 15:4). The saved will be composed of all nations (Acts 10:34-35). Red, yellow, black and white, all of God’s children are precious in His sight. If there are no color barriers in Heaven, why should God’s church observe such on earth?
3) Christ Jesus. Peter wrote, “Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him” (1 Pet. 3:22). Jesus Christ is in Heaven, yet He ought to also be present in the church. That should go without saying, but the Lord has made it clear that if a congregation does not abide in Him, He will not abide in it (Rev. 2:5).
4) Joy over the Repentance of Sinners. Jesus said, “I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance” (Luke 15:7). Every time a sinner repents, Heaven rejoices. However, some brethren seemingly have little appreciation for responses to the invitation of Christ. They are more interested in going to Sunday lunch or getting home for the ballgame, rather than encouraging the penitent. The church of Christ must be interested in the salvation of the lost souls. When we cease to be moved to joy over the repentance of sinners, it is time we repent ourselves.
—Barry Gilreath, Jr
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