Have you ever heard that phrase and nodded along? Or heard it and didn’t quite grasp it’s meaning?
I’m here to tell you that statement is merely a false appeasing of someone else’s conscience. Biblically speaking, there is no truth or validity to this statement and the Bible debunks it left and right throughout its pages.
One of my favorite theologians is A.W. Tozer, and he has this to say on the topic:
I want to be a more serious-minded Christian, more detached from this world, more ready for Heaven than I have ever been in my whole life. I want an ear that is sharp to know the voice of the enemy…. I would rather stand and have everybody my enemy than to go along with the crowd to destruction.
A.W. Tozer
You see, everyone wants to enjoy Heaven after they die, but they don’t want to be heavenly focused while on earth–when carnal delights are so immediate and pleasurable, it is not an easy task to pry your eyes from them and look toward your future and how you ought to act/think/be.
It’s not enough to only be concerned about our own salvation though.
The entirety of the Beatitudes blesses those who are Heavenly focused. Their aim is on their Lord; even though they traverse through valleys and pits, their aim is always on the next life and that is what carries them through–their perseverance through trials and tribulations are because of the One they lean on and look to. This world and its trials hold not a candle to the glorious riches awaiting us in Heaven; to truly understand that will mean a turning away from worldly things and thoughts and be focused on Heaven, your potential future. Following the Beatitudes we hear the lesson on Salt and Light.
You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven.
Matthew 5:13-16, NIV
We are to be the salt of the Earth, we are to maintain our saltiness, and we are to spread our salt–all for others to look past us to see the glory of God. One of the MOST important focus points when debunking the phrase that you are no earthly good, is that while you are on earth your focus will be on other’s futures and whether or not their hearts are aligned with Christ–if they are not going to Heaven (no matter who they are), then it is incredibly sad. They will have never made right their wrongs, or requested true forgiveness after true repentance; their pride and sin will have kept them bound to the earth by choice instead of releasing all with humility to be set free.
After processing emotions from harm wrought you by an opposer/abuser/foe/enemy/etc., it may surprise you that it becomes your nature to want to pray for their hearts. In the end, retribution is not ours to repay–to get back anything you think you’re owed by this person is not ours to demand. God will judge and repay evil for evil and account for EVERY action, but if we are truly Heavenly minded, we will CARE DEEPLY that this soul may not make it to Heaven taking the path that they are currently on.
So instead, I pray:
You ought to be so heavenly focused, care so deeply about the hearts of those around you, that it effects a testimony pointing to Christ by how you live your life and spread salt across the earth.
Anchored Abode
~Becca
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Hi, Becca! Somehow I’ve never bumped into your site before in the wide world of blogging, but it’s a pleasure to connect today, especially around this paradox of being in the world, but not of the world while at the same time entering into the reality of the needs around us. I am grateful that God calls us to a both/and mentality rather than an either/or, and this truly is what saves my life every day. Thanks for your thoughts on the Beatitudes and Jesus’s upside down kingdom.
Thanks for stopping by, I am loving connecting with like-minded bloggers out there!
Hi, again! Still working on this balancing act! Blessings!
I love Tozer quotes Becca! This is a great post! Thanks for linking up at InstaEncouragements! I’m happy to find your link-up as well. 🙂 I want an ear that is sharp to know the voice of my Savior!
Tozer and JC Ryle are my favorites! 🙂 Thanks for popping over to say hi! Becca
Yes, I so understand what you are saying–I actually lived under the shame of that lie for so many years, that maybe I really was “too heavenly minded to be of any earthly good.” I wrote a post about it last fall when the Lord lifted so much of that shame away from me. If we would be truly Heavenly minded as Jesus spoke to us, then we would be the best kind of good for this world! It’s just not possible to be truly Heaven-minded, full of the Words spoken from God’s own heart, and to be of no earthly good. Thank you so much for these precious words today! Blessings to you!
Oh it’s a hard lie to hear and full of confusion! Please send me the link, I’d love to read the post! (Or link it in the linkup party and I’ll click over from there!)
Thanks for your fabulous post Becca – found it quite inspiring!
Look forward to spending more time on your site! 🙂
Becca, this is another great post. I think that statement is something people say so they don’t have to think deeply about the state of their own lives. May God give each of us the grace to love and pray for them no matter what they say.
Becca, this is such a GREAT post! Your words and perspective here are spot on! Thank you so much for sharing and thank you for hosting as well! God bless you! 🙂
Hi Becca,
I love this thought provoking post! It seems that the more heavenly focused we are, the more we’ll love people well and serve our purpose here more completely and to His glory. Such a paradox!
Peace and grace,
Tammy
I think it’s a myth!