The Importance of Thinking About Heaven

Every wonderful deed that was ever done was first conceived in the mind. There is a clear and obvious connection between the way we think and the way we act. In Proverbs 23:7 the wise man wrote, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he,” so we might ask, what should we be thinking about?

Colossians 3:1-2 admonishes, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” When Paul says “seek” he is using a term that focuses on the heart. We must have a desire for heaven. The word “affection” has more to do with the mind. We should set our minds on—spend time thinking about—heaven.

If you are a New Testament Christian you should spend time thinking about heaven because you have died with Christ. Paul writes, “For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory” (Colossians 3:3-4). When Christ died and His body was buried in a tomb His life was hidden. Whoever witnessed his corpse on the cross could not see life in Him. When Joseph of Arimathea and the women who followed carried Jesus to the tomb they could not see life in Him. But that life was revived! When we die with Christ in baptism we kill the old man of sin and our life is continually hidden with Christ (Romans 6:6). Because of this we have a hope of eternal life in heaven (1 Corinthians 15:42-44, 49).

Thinking about heaven also affects your behavior. Paul commands, “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth…” (Colossians 3:5). This means we must end those parts of ourselves which are earthly, fleshly, and sinful. He provides examples in verses 5-8. Sexual sins and social sins are listed. Thinking about heaven helps me to end my relationship with these transgressions of God’s will.

I am benefitted when I think about heaven because it helps me keep the proper perspective in life. I will be more likely to keep my relationships with fellow Christians honest (Colossians 3:9). When I do stumble I’ll be willing to confess my faults (James 5:16). I’ll want to know more and more about my God, and the wonderful home that has been prepared (Colossians 3:10). My life won’t become unbalanced, full of entertainment and earthly activities while starving for the bread of life. Prejudice will be far from me because these earthly distinctions do not matter in God’s kingdom. The only distinction that will occupy my mind will be those who have put on Christ, and those who still need to do so.

Spend more time thinking about heaven. It will be time well spent and comes with numerous spiritual benefits. “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8).