My Father’s House

By Al Behel

“In my Father’s house are many rooms…” (John 14:2)

   The Carpenter’s Son grew up with a hammer in His hand. Many of the houses in Nazareth bore the prints of His handiwork. He knew about buildings. Hence, it was fitting for Him to tell His disciples that His Father’s house is full of rooms…rooms which He would go and prepare for them. And when those rooms are finished He will come back for those whose hearts are kept pure and untroubled by sin.
      I like to think about my Father’s house. He only has one house, but it has plenty of room for all who hold the Father in their hearts. That house is not made of perishable materials which will decay with the years.   It is indestructible and ageless. It will never lose it’s radiant beauty. It will never need repair. It will always be fresh and pure and clean. Nothing unclean can enter through its doors.
     His Father’s house is full of love and peace and life. There are no conflicts or painful words spoken, no resentments or painful memories. There are no medicine cabinets or bandages for broken hearts. The Father’s house is filled with the brightness of His face, the glory of His presence, and the fragrance of His grace. I love my Father’s house.
       Regretfully, many will not live in the Father’s house. They have given themselves to a different father. Jesus described the traits that separates these from His Father (John 8:31-47). They rejected the Father’s Son. They refused to listen to His words and sought to do the will of their father, instead. Their father is the devil who is the originator of lies. Those who follow his will believe lies and spread lies themselves.  They won’t listen to truth.
      I’m glad Jesus told us about his Father’s house because that house is our house if we have chosen God as our Father. If not, there is only one other eternal home, where all the good is missing. It is a house of darkness, and suffering, and painful memories. Sadly, those who choose to live there will live with eternal regrets. There will be no love there, no peace, and no happiness.
     God is a good God who offers everyone a choice of eternal homes. It is our choice. Let’s make sure we chose wisely. 

- Al Behel preaches for the Great Smoky Mountains Church of Christ in Pigeon Forge, TN. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://greatsmokymountainschurchofchrist.com/