Years ago, there was an email making the rounds that featured pictures of two churches fighting (via their marquee signs), over whether or not dogs go to heaven. The email is almost certainly bogus (check it out on Snopes), since the background in the pictures remains exactly the same through all of the sign changes.
But that’s not really the point.
Someone sent me the email and wanted to know what my thoughts were on dogs going to heaven. Okay, it’s certainly possible. The Scripture talks about creation being restored (Romans 8:18ff), and that would seem to include animal life. Does that mean we’ll get to see Spike or Sparky again? Let’s ask another question: Does the restoration of creation mean that every tree, flower, or animal that’s ever existed will be restored? That seems less likely (more from the perspective of purpose than power since God can do anything).
But that’s not really the point either.
I think the larger point of the email was to poke fun at disciples for the inordinate amount of time, energy, and money we spend on things that don’t really matter. Things like whether or not dogs go to heaven. It is not a burning theological issue. The Scriptures don’t come anywhere close to addressing the issue. Why then would believers make it one? Don’t we have anything better to do?
That’s the point.
Jesus taught that our primary pursuit in life should be to love God and others (Matthew 22:34ff). Over-attachments to lesser things (whatever they might be), are distortions that move us away from this central reality and threaten to make us insipid disciples.
The main thing we have to do is to make sure the main thing remains the main thing!
A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green 