Paving Stones
Here is a Mythological Fantasy Story, a pagan tradition story, but then again, the point is still well worth the telling. Story; “a man was dying, and about to go to Heaven, he was having a long chat with God about all the marvellous things he had been able to do for God, and for the gospel, as God had abundantly blessed him with considerable wealth, which he then had prolifically used to strengthen the gospel spread, and to help others. God told him to pack a suitcase, and he could bring that to heaven with him, just check it in with St Peter at the Pearly Gate, and you can have it. Well, the suitcase was dutifully packed, and soon thereafter there was his funeral. He stood at heavens gate, and St Peter pointed to the sign, ‘No baggage or Luggage allowed,’ so the man bitterly protested and complained, then said, ‘well just phone God then,’ so St Peter spun around, picked up the phone, God, ‘I have a bloke here that is breaking all the rules, he is dragging a heavy suitcase with him, you set the rules, and he will not let me throw it away, so therefore I will not let him in,’ what do you want me to do with him?
God asked for the man’s name, yes that is him, well just let him in with his suitcase, we have that all sorted, he has my permission, but only one suitcase, and nothing more. St Peter turned to the new arrival, and said, ‘I do not know how, but God has approved, welcome home to Heaven. By the way, as nobody has ever been granted this high exemption, do you mind me taking a wee peek inside. Reluctantly the businessman opened the lid just a wee small amount, St Peter peeked inside, and unceremoniously burst into fits of laughter, rolling around on the ground, holding his middle as he roared in laughter. St Peter finally composed himself, wiped the stream of tears from his cheeks, apologized for his undignified outburst, stood up and dusted himself off, straightening his cloths, so as to be dignified once more, and asked, why on earth are you hauling into Heaven a suitcase full of paving stones, and those gold bars are a bit tiny for in here, we use the wider and thicker ones, as they are way more stable under foot.
Human inventions, human manufacturing is worse than ‘paving stones,’ and of no value, of no worth, just refuse, their only use is to become ‘land fill.’ Quote; “In the Word of God they are to learn that all who enter heaven must have a perfect character; for then they will meet their Lord in peace. Many children and youth have their characters imprinted on their countenances. Their life’s history they carry in the features of the face. The true workers should impress upon the minds of the children a beautiful, pure, Christ-like character, which will transfigure the countenance. If Christ is the abiding principle in the heart, you may read purity, refinement, peace, and love in all the features. In other countenances, an evil character hangs out the sign; selfishness, cunning, deceit, falsehood, enmity, and jealousy are expressed there. How difficult it is for truth to impress the hearts and countenances of such evil characters!” {TSS 21} Let us be perfecting a ‘Christ Like Character,’ and this we can take to heaven, for it is of infinite value, and not ever to try to make it rich down here, and then try to haul pitiful and useless paving stones into Heaven.
Quote; “True Christians will represent Christ in deportment and in character. They will sanctify themselves through obedience to the truth, that the people they would save may be influenced by their Christ-like character, and see a beauty and harmony in the truth. Preachers and people will effect more for Christ by humble, devoted, and virtuous lives, than can be done by preaching, where a godly example is much wanting. {R&H Aug 23 1881} Are you storing up ‘Paving Stones,’ or are you cultivating a godly character, which is of infinite value, and it is all that you can ever take to Heaven, and your Character is fixed for Eternity. Revelation 22:11 “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.” Do you have ‘Rocks in your Head,’ a heart and mind set and focused on gold, or is your mind and Character fixed on Heavenly things?? Revelation 3:18 “I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and [that] the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.” Matthew 24:35 “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” Quote; “Yet Jesus is going from door to door, standing in front of every soul-temple, proclaiming, “I stand at the door, and knock.” As a heavenly merchantman, he opens his treasures, and cries, “Buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear.” The gold he offers is without alloy, more precious than that of Ophir; for it is faith and love. The white raiment he invites the soul to wear is his own robes of righteousness, and the oil for anointing is the oil of his grace, which will give spiritual eyesight to the soul who is in blindness and darkness, that he may distinguish between the workings of the Spirit of God and the spirit of the enemy. Open your doors, says the great Merchantman, the possessor of spiritual riches, and transact your business with me. It is I, your Redeemer, who counsels you to buy of me. {RH, August 7, 1894 } Remember; “The gold he offers is without alloy, more precious than that of Ophir; for it is faith and love. The white raiment he invites the soul to wear is his own robes of righteousness, and the oil for anointing is the oil of his grace, which will give spiritual eyesight to the soul in blindness and darkness, that he may distinguish between the workings of the Spirit of God and the spirit of the enemy.” Are you storing up “Faith and Love,” or is that ‘Paving Stones,’ that you have stacked up?
