Once more: The Scriptures teach, “This is the love of God,” the sure mark thereof, “that we keep his commandments.” (1 John 3) And our Lord himself says, “He that keeps my commandments is he who loves me.” (John 14:21.) Love rejoices to obey; to do, in everything, whatever is acceptable to the beloved. A true lover of God hastens to do he will on earth as it is done in heaven.

—Sermon 10, The Witness of the Spirit 5.120

In case you missed it, this week I have focused on the topic of heaven. As C.S. Lewis reminds us, either there is a heaven or there isn’t, and if there isn’t let’s forget about this whole thing of religion and move on with our lives. Let’s eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we will be dead.

But we Christians do not believe that heaven is non-existent and so we will not move on with our lives, except as our lives intersect with Christ’s through the abiding power and Presence of the Holy Spirit. This is our hope, our anticipation, our future. It is glorious beyond our imagination and we are fools if we do not embrace it. It is God’s free gift to us in Jesus Christ. Let us give thanks to God by giving him our lives in joyful obedience to his will and commandments.