From the Morning Scriptures

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

—Romans 8:18-25 (TNIV)

Here is another major piece from Paul on the New Creation. This is our future, not some disembodied state in “heaven.” No, we Christians will have new resurrection bodies that are fitted to live in the new and redeemed creation. If God does not abhor creation and intends to redeem it, dare we ignore it in our present life? What are you doing in your daily activities that shows your respect for God’s creation and your hope in God’s promised New Creation?

Augustine Opines About Heaven (2)

What are you afraid of? Why are you anxious about your body? Jesus promised “Not a hair of your head shall perish” (Luke 21:18). It is true that Adam by his sin condemned your bodies to death but Jesus “will bring to life your mortal bodies” (Romans 8:11). Remember that Paul wrote “You will be delivered from the body of this death” (Romans 7:24). This will happen not by doing away with your body but by receiving another one that cannot die. Let death, the last enemy, be removed and my body will be forever my friend!

Sermon 155.15

Augustine Opines About Heaven (1)

In heaven, no longer upset by our sins and vices, we will love God perfectly because we will see him face to face (1 Corinthians 13:12). We will also love our friends perfectly because we will have nothing to hide. All the thoughts in our hearts will be open to each other. Never again will we be upset by the fear that others are thinking evil of us.

Against Two Letters of the Pelagians, 4.10.28

Two Rules for Living

There are two things commanded in this life by the Lord: restraint and endurance. We are told to restrain ourselves during the good times of life and to endure the bad times. Just as it is the task of restraint not to be attached to the good times of life, so the task of endurance is to survive bravely the bad times. Whether at present we “never had it so good” or “never had it so bad” we must continue to look forward to the coming of the Lord who will give us what is truly good and pleasant and protect us from what is truly evil.

—Augustine, Sermon 38.1

Fading Away Like Smoke

Now is the time to grow tired of your captivity in these “Babylonian” days. Here comes that heavenly mother, Jerusalem, to meet with you on the way with a cheerful invitation to “choose life and love to see the good days” (Psalm 34:12), days which you will never have in this world. Here, after all, your days “are fading away like smoke” (Psalm 102:3). For them, extension has meant becoming less. As they grow in length they have become fewer. They rise up and then vanish away.

—Augustine, Sermon 216.4