Life And Death
Death is something that very few believers look at properly. We see it as the end of life and something to be dreaded. Yet, it is actually the beginning of greater life and something to be looked forward to. In fact, life is also something that very few believers look at properly. It is generally viewed in terms of our bodies and all things we experience in them when it is actually about Jesus and the life we experience through Him. Paul made this simple, yet, wonderfully profound statement about life and death.
For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (Phil. 1:21)
The first step in viewing death properly is to view life properly. “[We] have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer [we] who live, but Christ lives in [us]“ (Gal. 2:20) In fact, Jesus “is our life.” (Col. 3:4) “[He] came that [we] may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10) Our life is all about experiencing the life of Christ. This isn’t just a nice metaphor, it is reality for the Spirit filled believer.
When our life becomes completely wrapped up in the life of Christ then death “is gain.” Living is Christ and dying is MORE Christ. “We are confident, yes, WELL PLEASED rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.” (2 Cor. 5:8) Paul had “a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is FAR BETTER.” (Phil. 1:23b) Death, for the believer, is a very good thing.
