Reading Jonathan Edward’s famous sermon, “Heaven is a World of Love,” I was struck by something I had never really considered: there will not be equality in heaven. At least, not the way we understand equality in modern culture. Such a notion may strike us as somewhat unjust, but according to Edwards, some will have a greater capacity to enjoy their eternal home than others:

Those that have a lower station in glory than others, suffer no diminution of their own happiness by seeing others above them in glory. On the contrary, all the members of that blessed society rejoice in each other’s happiness, for the love of benevolence is perfect in them all…Those that are highest in glory, are those that are highest in holiness, and therefore are those that are most beloved by all the saints; for they most love those that are most holy, and so they will all rejoice in their being the most happy. And it will not be a grief to any of the saints to see those that are higher than themselves in holiness and likeness to God, more loved also than themselves, for all shall have as much love as they desire, and as great manifestations of love as they can bear; and so all shall be fully satisfied; and where there is perfect satisfaction, there can be no reason for envy.

So, who are those in heaven who will have a “higher station?” And is there any support for this idea in scripture? Andrew Davis, in his excellent book, “An Infinite Journey” cites Paul’s word in 1 Timothy 4:7-8, “Train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”

In his Sermon on the Mount, our Lord Jesus said, “For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.” (Matthew 7:2) This future measure could certainly refer to our heavenly station. And according to the Apostle Paul, some in that heavenly kingdom will “suffer loss” because of how they lived in this life.

Do you suppose that those who strive for godliness in this life, who faithfully serve others, who actively share the gospel, who give sacrificially, who consistently resist temptation, and whose life mission is to do all for God’s glory, will experience greater glory and joy in heaven than those who mainly sought pleasure in this life? I have to believe that’s true.

Davis writes, “Not a single person will be dissatisfied by his or her heavenly portion, but not all will have equal experience of heavenly joy. By their earthly sacrifices in personal holiness and other-worldly ambitions, some will soar above others in heavenly capacity to savor the infinite greatness of God in Christ.”

If it is true that we are shaping our capacity for heavenly enjoyment by how we are living now, shouldn’t we examine ourselves and make whatever adjustments such truth demands? Or do we want to continue entertaining the assumption that heaven is ruled by an “equal outcome” policy and that all of us will share mutually those eternal pleasures? Ask yourself, “am I seeking to find more joy on earth than I expect in heaven?” Remember, this life is the short, temporary one, and life is “a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” (James 4:14)

Perhaps we should consider making the same resolution Edwards made at the young age of nineteen: “Resolved, to endeavor to obtain for myself as much happiness, in the other world, as I possibly can, with all the power; might, vigor, and vehemence, yea violence, I am capable of, or can bring myself to exert, in any way that can be thought of.”