God loves and created everything in our world with goodness so that we might love God in return. 

In fact God created humans as “very good,” in God’s own image. Did God create a perfect world? Probably not, though many believe God did, and that some at least are destined to be returned to a perfect heaven. What else could heaven be if not perfect? Let us think about this from a different perspective.

God certainly created our world and ourselves “good” so that we might love God and one another back or in return for God’s eternal love. But “perfection” is something quite different from “goodness.” In truth perfection is the enemy of goodness. Many things can be very good and still not be perfect. Humans are one of these. We were created good but not perfect.

The flaw in our goodness is freewill. God knew when God created us that to love God back we must be free not to; maybe not always but at least on occasion. Not even God or anyone can require or command us to truly love another unless it is in our hearts to do so. True love requires freewill or love is not possible. God created us to be good but not perfect.

Human perfection is not possible on earth nor in Heaven. Self righteousness is never the pathway to God!

My friend belongs to AA (Alcoholics Anonymous). He has been sober now for several years and remains active in the rehabilitation of many others. At every AA meeting they begin by saying “I am an alcoholic. I have been sober now for so many days or years,” as may be the case.

Once an alcoholic always an alcoholic. There are no exceptions. There are only alcoholics or hopefully reformed alcoholics.

It is the same with sin. There are only sinners or those who are reforming of sin or forgiven sinners both on earth as well as in heaven. Love is never perfectly possible. It is, however, always good wherever and whenever it is experienced on earth or in heaven. Only God’s love is perfect; though God certainly enjoys our goodness. Perfection is only goodness that is under reconstruction (transformation) both now and in the afterlife.

Have you ever wondered why the Bible speaks and God promises in both the Old and New Testaments a “new heaven and a new earth:? (Isaiah 65:9 & Rev. 21:1-4). We certainly acknowledge the need for a new earth; but why a new heaven? I believe it is because Heaven is not yet perfect because it includes sinners and sinners who are forgiven and transformed.

That includes everyone because once a sinner always a sinner though all are in the process of becoming more like God intended and created us to be perfected in the image of God, conformed to the likeness of Christ in Heaven and Jesus while on earth. 

Every person is born with a “spark of kindness” within them, whether they acknowledge this “spark;” force, spirit, power, etc. or not. It doesn’t matter what this “spark” is called or even that it has a name. It is a given even when denied.

This “spark” is enough to save everyone; though the prospects of denial can be disappointing or disastrous in this life.

The purpose of this “spark” is to help everyone become their better selves in this life and to prepare them to have an even better life and eternity after death. Of course many believe this “spark” has a name and presence. Let’s simply call it Love.

Love is something that most can agree on and can’t fully live without.

Death on the other hand is something that cannot be denied; it is universal — all die. To live is a choice to be made in this life. To choose life is to accept love, for without love there is no life. The denial of a presence beyond ourselves is possible, of course, but denial doesn’t make such presence any less true. 

There is something beyond ourselves that is present in every person whether believed or not. Some or many may discover and accept the offer of a better life only after their death. Does it matter? Yes!

Much may be lost in this life without it; but eternal life is a gift for everyone because God or whatever name given to this “spark” within us has the presence, power, and will to love and accept everyone into the eternal kingdom; even the power to change the worst in life into a member of eternal worth.

One doesn’t have to be good to have God love them; God loves and provides for everyone because God is good. Goodness, that “spark” of kindness in us never dies because love like God’s is eternal. In the end everyone is saved by grace, the true gift of a loving God. 

Rev. Raymond Ticknor is a retired Christian Church (Disciple of Christ) pastor living in Monett. He may be reached at [email protected].