25
Jul '25
Climbing the Ladder That Reaches Heaven
25
Jul '25
Introduction: If you are a Christian, then you are “climbing a ladder that reaches heaven”! Explain that. Well, in the book written to the Church of Rome, Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, writes from ground zero, tracing the steps both from a divine perspective as well as a CHRISTian perspective. What a journey! It is almost as if you can see with the eye of Faith one step at a time. Let’s follow the trip.
1. God KNOWS before we take the first step – being born again at the beginning until the end! (Rom 8:28,29) – “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow.”
This first rung on the ladder is amazing. Think with me. Not only does our Sovereign Lord work everything for our “GOOD”, but He also knows about it before it even happens! Wow!! This blessed truth should cause every believer in Jesus Christ to thank Him more, trust Him more, and share Him more. Do you agree?
2. God SHOWS the path of the journey! (Rom 8:29,30) – “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.”
Tracing the journey of every Christian who is heaven-bound, this next life-changing truth is discovered as we are being fashioned into His image. In other words, God takes the good, the bad, and the in-between that happens to us with the intention that it works in us to make us more like JESUS. Let that sink in!
3. God GOES after us and then GROWS us! (Rom 8:30) – “Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.”
Did you notice that it is Jesus that does the CALLING? He comes LOOKING for us first! Then, as we respond in the affirmative to FOLLOW Him, He makes us RIGHT (justifies)! Hallelujah!!
4. God GLOWS us because He already sees His children in heaven! (Rom 8:30) – “Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.”
At last, this journey from heaven’s view is already finished and visible. However, from the Christian view, we are in the process. Imagine being glorified already?
Conclusion: Since the journey includes the steps of God Who KNOWS, SHOWS, GOES, GROWS, and finally GLOWS, what is left to say?
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese