Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. – 1 Peter 1:8-9
If you read history you will find that the Christians who did the most for the present world were just those who thought most of the next. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this. - C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
Inquiring minds want to know. Is there a God who made heaven and earth and everything in it? Is there a final accounting for the life of man? Is there a life after this one where we can look forward to being in a better place? Is there a Redeemer who can save us from our deserved fate in death and give us hope that we have not lived in vain? Sadly, according to Lewis, not many are inquisitive of such things. It is more characteristic of our age to live in ignorance of such questions. The result of which is not only detrimental to the soul, but a cause of deterioration in present affairs.
Where are the minds today who like Peter found inquiry regarding the truth and value of eternal matters both beneficial to one’s present state of being but filled with hope for the outcome of life? They exist, to be sure. Otherwise Christianity would have died completely out long ago, Thanks be to the Word of God which continues to yield its benefit to inquirers of our generation. But trends in our culture of the West and specifically for us, America, leave us concerned. Not for the salvation of faithful inquirers guided by the Holy Spirit through the Word giving faith of our Fathers, but for those who lack interest in such things: Those in our own families, those in our neighborhoods, in our nation, in our government, our media and our schools of learning. How ineffective we have become, overall, and even in the Church to an extent, that Gospel redeeming influence is not making the impact we believe it should.
It is time for us to awaken, to be inquisitive about things that really matter, to ask tough questions and seek real answers pertaining to real and permanent things. It is time to take the Gospel seriously, not just in agreement but in dialogue, in the exchange of thoughts and intentions of the heart pleasing to our Heavenly Father. And this should be done in thanksgiving and expectation with demonstrated love where it counts. For only when Christians thinking of the other world are asking God what He would have us do in this one, will there be effectiveness in all aspects of life.
The believer, who truly knows where he or she is going, when their numbered days are completed and can rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, will make a difference. With Christ at our side, having redeemed us by his blood on the Cross, we will continue our inquiry of those around us, encouraging them with the Word to find the answers for themselves. This is our calling; this is our purpose.