God's Layaway Plan (Pack of 25)

            Many of the larger stores throughout the nation have a “layaway” plan for the sale of merchandise through which a purchaser can have an item held for him by making a small down payment on it. The article is held by the store until paid for and then delivered to the customer.

            God has a “layaway” plan for those who have received His Son as their Savior. In common with the plans frequently used in merchandising, it has to do with something that is laid away for future possession. Unlike the store “layaway” plan in which the buyer pays the full price as he is able, God’s plan has to do with holding for us in Heaven something already paid for.

            In his letter to the Colossian believers, the Apostle Paul spoke of “the hope which is laid up [literally “laid away”] for you in heaven” (Colossians 1:5). That hope includes a number of wonderful things.

            It is the hope of the completion of perfection of our salvation. When we receive Christ as our Savior, God saves us from the penalty of sin. As we trust Jesus Christ day by day, He delivers us from the power of sin. When the redeemed stand in His glorious presence, they shall be forever delivered from the presence of sin. We shall be like Christ in perfection (I John 3:2).

            That hope includes the redemption of the body. Our present bodies are subject to sickness and death. But these mortal bodies shall give way to immortal, spiritual bodies fit for Heaven and eternity (See I Corinthians 15:52-54; Romans 8:23)!

            The believer looks forward also to a heavenly inheritance. The Apostle Peter wrote of it, saying that we have been “…begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (I Peter 1:3-5).

            No earthly “layaway” plan both reserves the article for the customer and keeps the customer for the article. God’s plan does. Our inheritance is reserved in Heaven for us. We are kept by God’s power so that we may receive our inheritance!

            God has laid away this heavenly inheritance for His children. As the Apostle Paul expresses it, “if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ…” (Romans 8:17). This glorious inheritance is not something worked for and earned. It is God’s gracious gift to His children. Christ purchased it for us through the shedding of His blood (I Peter 1:18-19; Matthew 26:28).

            Lost members of Adam’s fallen race become children of God by receiving God’s Son as their Savior. Read the words of John 1:12, “as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.” For those who have trusted Him as their Savior, Christ has gone to prepare a place among the many mansions in His Father’s House (John 14:1-3).

            Have you a hope laid away in Heaven? Do you have confidence concerning eternal things? If not, you need to receive Christ as your Savior. As a result of trusting Him as your Savior, you pass from spiritual death to spiritual life now, and in the life to come shall not come into condemning judgment for sin (John 5:24). Now is the time to trust Him. Do it now. Now is the only time you have. Do not put off what you should do now. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved, and thy house” (Acts 16:31).