It is by setting our minds on eternity with God that we are strengthened to live for God in this life. Christ promises the persecuted church at Smyrna, “be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” And yet, it does not take persecution to struggle to be faithful. No one skates into eternity having not known the burden of sin, loss, severe pain, doubt or a crippling love for this world.

Come, thou fount of every blessing, tune my heart to sing thy grace. Streams of mercy, never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise. 

Here I raise mine Ebenezer, hither by they help I’m come. And I hope by Thy good pleasure, safely to arrive at home. 

These words from the 18th century hymn, “Come, Thy Fount of Every Blessing” capture beautifully what it means to think about our spiritually blessings and to consider eternity. But these are not just beautiful words. This no mere poem. And it does not just help us get by. Such consideration of heaven and of Christ Himself is the very operating system of Christian thinking, without which we are sure to suffer unnecessary distraction, frustration, inconvenience, worry, temptation and sin.

Thinking Spiritually. It is by looking on Christ, the fountain head of every blessing that we are happy in God, truly grateful for all He’s done for us and provided us in Him. From this place of love and gratitude, we find ourselves compelled to live in a manner worthy of the Gospel. How could we (previously hopeless sinners) be shown such grace by a perfectly holy God, and at the same time be irreparably offended by a friend?

[Editor’s note: This article is incomplete. The link (URL) to the original article is unavailable and has been removed.]