As I grow older, I find myself longing more deeply for Christ’s return and reflecting on its significance. Lately, my thoughts have been drawn to the idea of a sinless eternity—a reality so profound and vast that it defies complete comprehension. Instead of feeble attempts to contemplate eternity, I turned my thoughts to something simpler: imagining just one day without sin. Here is that reflection.
Imagine with me a world untouched by sin. The morning light dances through leaves unmarked by decay, and the air carries a symphony of sounds—birds singing in perfect harmony, rivers whispering of life, and the rustling of trees offering quiet praise. Every heart is at peace, beating in rhythm with the Creator’s love. Beauty flourishes untainted, and joy fills every moment. Humanity thrives, working and living in perfect unity with God and one another. This is a world as it was meant to be—a world where the ground willingly yields its fruit, and every human endeavor reflects the glory of the One who made it.
But this is not the world we know. The world groans under the weight of sin. Each day begins with an ache—the nagging worries, the tensions in relationships, the heaviness of a heart longing for something more. Creation itself bears the scars of human rebellion: thorns choke the ground, and storms rage in skies that were meant to sing of God’s glory. The shadows of brokenness fall over every facet of life, from the labor of our hands to the longings of our souls.
Yet, even as we wrestle with the brokenness of this world, the beauty of what could have been—and what will one day be—stirs a longing deep within us. This glimpse of Eden restored reminds us that God’s design was always for flourishing, unity, and worship. It is His promise to bring us back to this perfect state through His triumphant plan of redemption. And while this vision fills us with hope for the future, it also calls us to live in its light today, striving to reflect His kingdom even now.
Morning: Work as Worship
The morning sun rises, casting a golden glow over fields ripe with promise. The earth’s richness testifies to God’s provision, and the labor of our hands reflects His creative power. Work, once marred by toil and frustration, becomes an act of joyful worship—an offering to the One who fashioned all things in wisdom and beauty. As the psalmist declares, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork” (Psalm 19:1). So too does the work of human hands glorify Him in this sinless world.
In this restored creation, the dignity of work is fully realized. The frustration and futility of labor—the sleepless nights worrying about deadlines, the toxic workplaces, the burden of burnout—are no more. There is no drudgery in repetitive tasks, no office politics, and no fear of losing one’s livelihood. Instead, work becomes a joyous response to God’s grace, a reflection of His beauty and order. Gone is the anxiety of provision and the striving for validation through achievements; gone, too is the heavy weight of comparison and competition. Every act of cultivation and creation sings with purpose, reflecting the wisdom of the Creator.
Work Is the Original Calling of Man
Richard Baxter writes in The Reformed Pastor, “The saints in heaven spend their time in pure delight, in the joyful beholding of God, and in His glorious presence, which enlightens their understanding and inflames their affections with His love.”1 In this sinless world, every act of work is illuminated by the joy of God’s presence.
The 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith reminds us,
“Good works are only such as God hath commanded in His holy Word, and not such as without the warrant thereof are devised by men out of blind zeal, or upon any pretense of good intention.”
Work is restored to its original purpose—to glorify God by aligning with His Word. The fruit of our labor becomes a reflection of His holiness and wisdom.
Proverbs 3:19-20 declares, “The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding, he established the heavens; by his knowledge, the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew.” Guided by divine wisdom, every act of work—whether sowing fields or writing books—is an act of worship perfectly aligned with His eternal purposes. Men take up their roles not as burdens, but as holy callings to mirror the Creator Himself.
Imagine approaching your daily tasks with the same joy and reverence. What would change if every meeting, every meal prepared, and every chore became an act of worship to the living God?
Midday: Community in Perfect Harmony
At the heart of a sinless day is a picture of humanity thriving in harmony. Gone are the petty rivalries, the whispered betrayals, and the endless comparisons that fracture relationships. In this world, the unity of the Trinity is mirrored in every relationship, and the love of Christ is the bond that holds every family, friendship, and community together.
Jonathan Edwards captures this beautifully in his work, Charity and Its Fruits, when he writes, “The redeemed will indeed enjoy other things; they will enjoy the angels, and will enjoy one another; but that which they shall enjoy in the angels, or each other, or in anything else whatsoever, will be what will be seen of God in them.”2 The glory of God becomes the center of every interaction, elevating even the simplest act of fellowship into something eternal.
The Heidelberg Catechism affirms this eternal reality in Q&A 32:
“Because by faith I am a member of Christ and so I share in His anointing. I am anointed to confess His name, to present myself to Him as a living sacrifice of thanks, to strive with a good conscience against sin and the devil in this life, and afterward to reign with Christ over all creation for all eternity.”
In this restored community, relationships are not only healed but exalted, becoming previews of the reign believers will share with Christ forever.
Imagine sitting at tables where laughter echoes freely, where stories are shared without fear, and where bread is broken as an act of gratitude rather than survival. The psalmist’s words ring true: “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity” (Psalm 133:1). In this world, fellowship isn’t a strategy for connection; it is the natural overflow of hearts transformed by grace.
What if we pursued this kind of unity today? How would our homes, churches, and communities reflect God’s design if our relationships were centered on His love?
Evening: Worship Without Hindrance
As the stars begin to emerge, the day culminates in a chorus of worship. Every voice—young and old, near and far—joins in an unbroken song of praise. Worship is no longer something to fit into a schedule; it is the essence of life. The weight of guilt and shame has vanished, replaced by joy unspeakable and full of glory.
In Heaven Taken by Storm, Thomas Watson reflects that “Heaven is the center of the soul’s rest, the place where all the saints’ desires meet as lines in a center.”3 Here, worship is the fulfillment of every longing, the purest expression of rest in God’s glory.
In the perfection of this evening, even creation itself seems to sing. Revelation 5:13 declares, “And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, ‘To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!’” The stars’ light becomes a symphony of praise, a reflection of God’s holiness.
Imagine ending your day with worship as natural and inevitable as breathing. How would this change your perspective on the struggles and distractions of life?
Conclusion: Longing for the Triumphant Return of King Jesus
This vision of a sinless day stirs our hearts with hope and longing. It reminds us that Jesus’ death and resurrection make this future possible (Romans 5:12-21). While we live in a world marred by sin, we eagerly await the triumphant return of King Jesus, who will bring about the full restoration of all things.
The Westminster Confession of Faith captures this hope in Chapter 33:
“Christ will return to judge the world in righteousness, and fully restore His people to eternal blessedness… in the presence of the Lord and of His angels, where they shall reign with Him forever.”
This return fulfills every longing and brings the perfect joy of God’s reign.
Until that day, let us labor, love, and worship as citizens of heaven. Let us reflect His glory in our work, build unity in our communities, and worship Him with joy, knowing that our King is coming soon.
Revelation 22:20 declares: “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” With every breath, let us long for His return, when He will reign in perfect justice and peace, and we will dwell with Him forever in the world He has redeemed and restored.
