The Greatest Wonders of Heaven ∙

The Greatest Wonders of Heaven ∙

You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow, and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. – Matthew 7:13-14

1 Timothy 1:12-16

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him, even though I used to blaspheme the name of Christ. In my insolence, I persecuted his people. But God had mercy on me because I did it in ignorance and unbelief.

 Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with faith and love.

This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners,” and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then, others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.

The Transformative Power of Grace

John Newton, the author of the cherished hymn “Amazing Grace,” was once a man defined by cruelty and selfishness. In his youth, he engaged in the abhorrent practice of slave trading, motivated solely by greed and devoid of human compassion. However, through His boundless mercy, the Father reached out to this lost soul, drawing him to Himself. Newton, overwhelmed by the grace that saved him, wrote these timeless words:

“Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind but now I see.”

Reflecting on his newfound redemption and the promise of heaven, Newton humbly wrote, “If I ever reach heaven, I expect to find three wonders there: first, to meet some I had not thought to see there. Second, to miss some I had expected to see there. Third, and greatest wonder of all, will be to find myself there.”

Grace for the Worst of Sinners

The apostle Paul expressed a similar sense of unworthiness and gratitude for God’s grace. Once a blasphemer and relentless persecutor of Christians, Paul’s incredible metamorphosis stands as a powerful witness to God’s boundless mercy. His shift transformation from hostility to faith highlights the redemptive power of grace, transforming even the fiercest opponent into a fervent advocate of the Christian faith.

1 Timothy 1:13-16:

“Even though I used to blaspheme the name of Christ. In my insolence, I persecuted his people. But God had mercy on me because I did it in ignorance and unbelief.

Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with faith and love.

This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: ‘Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners’, and I am the worst of them all.

But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then, others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.”

If anyone had reason to doubt their worthiness for heaven, it was Paul. Yet, he understood that his salvation was not earned by his deeds but was a gift of grace. God’s mercy and patience with Paul serve as a powerful example for all who feel unworthy of God’s love.

The Universality of Sin and the Gift of Redemption

Scripture leaves no room for doubt: no one is deserving of heaven based on their own merit.

Romans 3:23: “Everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.”

Because of humanity’s sin, God sent His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to redeem and forgive us. Our righteousness is not achieved through our actions but is graciously granted through faith in Christ and His finished work on the cross.

Romans 3:22-25:

“We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.

Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.

For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood.”

REFLECT & PRAY

Stanley writes that, “One day, when we stand before Christ, it will become absolutely clear what we accomplished for Him through the Spirit and what we did on our own power. No one will quibble with God’s judgment.”

Father, You are my most dependable friend. I desire to trust You fully each day. You understand my frailty and shortcomings, yet You love me with unending grace. You have removed my sins as far as the East is from the West (Psalms 103:12). Strengthen and encourage me to build upon the foundation You have laid in my life.

INSIGHT

A Heavenly Perspective on Eternal Rewards

What is the link between our actions on earth and our eternal rewards? Simply put, we are not told, but perhaps the following can help us.

The story is told of a wealthy woman, a child of the King, who died and went to heaven. She was warmly welcomed to her heavenly mansion. Although her new residence was somewhat modest, its beautiful design exceeded her expectations. But her happiness was soon overshadowed when she saw her former gardener arriving at a mansion across the street. His mansion was four times bigger and radiated extraordinary beauty.

Perplexed, she turned to the angel accompanying her and inquired if the gardener truly lived in such a grand estate. The angel answered that he did. And went on to kindly explain that their heavenly abodes were crafted from the spiritual investments they had made during their earthly lives.

The woman’s faith had faltered, and her deeds were inconsistent, resulting in a mansion of limited splendor. In contrast, her gardener had demonstrated steadfast devotion to Christ, amassing treasures in heaven, while she had focused primarily on earthly rewards.

Although this tale is fictional, it reflects the principles of eternal rewards and judgment described in 1 Corinthians 3:12-17. Our time and efforts on Earth will be evaluated, and while some children of the King will receive great rewards, others will face loss.

Could it be that the materials needed to build our eternal homes are accumulated in heaven based on our commitment and efforts to live for Him on earth? If so, maybe many of us need to start making multiple trips to a spiritual building supply store to avoid ending up in a shack with a tin roof, cardboard walls, and no indoor plumbing. 

The Foundation of Our Work

1 Corinthians 3:11-15:

“For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have, Jesus Christ. Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials: gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done.”

“The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer a great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.”

Paul delineates that the Lord Jesus Christ is the only foundation upon which we can build. However, the materials we choose, whether gold, silver, and jewels or wood, hay, and straw, determine the lasting value of our work. On judgment day, fire will test the quality of each person’s efforts. Those whose efforts withstand the test will be rewarded, while those whose work is burned away will experience loss, although they will ultimately be saved themselves.

The Three Types of Builders

In 1 Corinthians 3:17, Paul identifies three categories of builders:

The Skilled Experts: These builders work carefully and wisely, using materials that withstand fire (1 Corinthians 3:14; compare with 1 Corinthians 3:10).

The Unwise: These builders use inferior materials, resulting in work that is temporary and eventually destroyed by fire (1 Corinthians 3:15).

The Destructive: These individuals damage God’s work and face serious consequences (1 Corinthians 3:17).

The materials, like gold, silver, and precious stones, represent efforts that are lasting and valuable, whereas wood, hay, and straw represent work that is temporary and of little eternal value. The specific materials are intentionally not named. The Father did not provide an explicit list of tasks. Why?

What He approves and desires from children of the King is revealed throughout the Scriptures. We are to strive to do what is right. Seek first His Kingdom and love our neighbors. The rest will follow.

Building with Wisdom and Purpose

To create something enduring, we must exercise wisdom and care in our efforts. As Richison suggests, the materials we select must withstand the Father’s testing fire. Are we building with higher-quality materials that reflect eternal priorities, or are we relying on inferior materials that serve only temporary purposes?

Our actions on Earth, to some extent, shape aspects of our eternal future. This calls for careful consideration of our priorities and the goals that motivate our efforts.

The Ultimate Question

Ultimately, the key question isn’t the scale or splendor of our earthly achievements, but rather the motivations that drive them. Are we devotedly serving the Father, or are we merely catering to our own interests? The answer to this question shapes the eternal value of our efforts and the rewards we will receive in the life to come.

God’s grace is profoundly transformative, capable of reaching even the most broken and the seemingly unworthy. The lives of figures like John Newton and the apostle Paul, along with the promises found in Scripture, remind us that salvation is a gift of grace, not a reward for our actions.

Through Christ’s sacrifice, we are redeemed, made righteous, and welcomed into the Father’s Forever Family.

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© Dr. H 2026