By Whose Authority?

I haven't looked into the issue much "biblically" speaking, but I think I finally put my finger on what it is about certain realms of Christian behavior that ales me, and I want to know what you guys think about it.

I understand caring for one-another in such a way as to exhort one-another for the better. That is, I understand why we tell each other when we're doing things that are sinful/"dishonoring to God."

But...

Here's what gets me... Why or how does someone have the authority to say that something other people do is "dishonoring to God." Doesn't that put God in a box? Doesn't that challenge God's authority, his right to think and do whatever he wants? If I said that stealing candy from the liquor store dishonors God, though I believe it does, is that right? Do I have the authority to speak on God's behalf in such a way? Do I have the authority to tell people what GOD is feeling?

I feel like constantly talking about what dishonors God or even about what honors him is just a way to strip God of his opinion, making ourselves gods instead. For me to claim that something is dishonoring God is just idolatry, unless God has explicitly told me that he's dishonored by it & that I should let people know.

God on Earth

When does Jesus speak about the eternality of heaven being an event yet to come?

John the Baptist, who constantly alluded to Christ's coming stated that "the kingdom of heaven has come near" (Matt. 3:2).

Then, after John was arrested, Jesus also started to proclaim that "the kingdom of heaven has come near" (Matt. 4:17).

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus talks about people who possess some kind of ownership over heaven (the poor in spirit, those persecuted for righteousness, etc.). 

Jesus talks about a reward in heaven. 

In the midst of this talk, the Gospel writers constantly refer to heaven as a place where God the Father is. Like a location.

What about a state of being?

The Father is "in heaven," the poor in spirit have "heaven," those persecuted for their righteousness have "heaven."

Hopefully the quotations around "heaven" are not misleading. I'm not trying to suggest that we redefine what heaven is, but rather WHERE it is, WHY it is, WHEN it is. Heaven is a place where one can be with God. Does that define the "where"? The "why"? The "when"?

Heaven is somewhere a devoted follower of Christ must go if they perish on Earth. Jesus clearly states that death for a Christian is the start of something new. It's not just about baptism, but also baptism by true, physical death. Those who perish for God will be with God. That's heaven. And, it might not be a "place."

Imagine a shining world of clouds, gold streets, outstanding precious stones. That's art, not heaven. Heaven could literally be that, or it's something else so incredible that the closest thing we can thing of is precious metals and stones. Earthly beauty is our understanding of the PLACE of heaven, but its so much bigger than we can imagine. 

So when we talk about salvation, and link it with an eventual ascension to heaven, do we mean it? Or do we believe that Christianity, Jesus, The Way, The Truth, The Life allows us to be in community with God; do we believe that being a follower of Christ means we're already citizens of heaven? Here? Now?

Does being a follower of Christ we become an ambassador, one who ranks highest in God's plan, one who is intended to represent Heaven, one who brings Heaven to Earth by Christ's example, one that inspires community with God and with each other?

Jesus starts by saying things like John said, "the kingdom of of heaven has come near" but by the end of his life, after he's taught his disciples and left a legacy, he tells them that the kingdom of heaven does not come with careful observation (which suggests to me that perhaps the kingdom of heaven come from obedience); he tells them that the kingdom of heaven is among them (Luke 17).

Are we looking towards heaven when it should be right beneath our noses?

Thanks for reading, tear me apart.

Question!

What do you do when you've honestly devoted your entire life to serving God, which includes serving people who just don't get it and who seem unwilling to try?

I'd really like some feedback on this one.