Christian Hub
1 year ago
Living for Christ: Finding Gain in Death
Living for Christ and Gaining in Death
When we think about death, it can be a sobering and even frightening topic. However, as Christians, we have hope and assurance in the promises of God. The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, gives us a powerful perspective on both life and death. He declares, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21).
But what does it mean for death to be gain? How can dying be considered a positive thing? Let's explore this concept further and discover the reasons why, as followers of Christ, we can find comfort and even joy in the prospect of death.
1. Our spirits will be made perfect.
In the book of Hebrews, we read about the heavenly Jerusalem and the spirits of the righteous made perfect (Hebrews 12:22–23). When we die, our spirits will be freed from the presence and power of sin. No longer will we struggle with the inner war and the heartrending disappointments of offending the Lord who loved us and gave himself for us. Our spirits will be made perfect, and we will experience the fullness of God's righteousness and holiness.
2. We will be relieved of the pain of this world.
Jesus tells the story of Lazarus and the rich man to illustrate the great reversal that occurs at death (Luke 16:24–25). The rich man, now in anguish, longs for even a drop of water to relieve his suffering. Meanwhile, Lazarus, who had endured a life of hardship, is comforted in paradise. While we may not immediately experience the joy of the resurrection, we can find solace in the fact that death will free us from the pain and suffering of this world.
3. We will find profound rest in our souls.
In the book of Revelation, we catch a glimpse of the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God (Revelation 6:9–11). These souls cry out to the Sovereign Lord, asking for justice and vengeance. But they are given a white robe and told to rest a little longer. This imagery shows us that in death, we will experience a deep rest and serenity that surpasses anything we have known in this life. It will be a rest that comes from being in the presence of God and knowing that justice will ultimately be served.
4. We will experience a deep at-homeness.
The apostle Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:8, "Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord." This longing for home is inherent in every human being, whether we realize it or not. In this world, we often feel a sense of displacement and longing for something more. But when we die, we will finally find our true home in the presence of Christ. It will be a place of contentment and belonging that surpasses any sense of security and peace we have ever known.
5. We will be with Christ.
The ultimate gain in death is being in the presence of Christ. Paul declares in Philippians 1:21–23, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better." Christ is a more wonderful person than anyone on earth. He is wiser, stronger, and kinder than anyone we enjoy spending time with. He knows exactly what to do and what to say to make his loved ones feel loved. Therefore, being with Christ in death is the ultimate gain.
As we reflect on these truths, we can find comfort and hope in the prospect of death. Death is not the end for the believer in Christ; it is the gateway to a glorious eternity. It is a gain because it means being perfected in our spirits, relieved of the pain of this world, finding profound rest in our souls, experiencing a deep at-homeness, and being with Christ himself.
So, let us live our lives with a Christ-centered focus, knowing that one day we will gain so much more in death. Let us find assurance in God's promises and look forward to the day when we will be in the presence of our Savior for all eternity. Death may seem daunting, but for the believer, it is truly gain.
When we think about death, it can be a sobering and even frightening topic. However, as Christians, we have hope and assurance in the promises of God. The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, gives us a powerful perspective on both life and death. He declares, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21).
But what does it mean for death to be gain? How can dying be considered a positive thing? Let's explore this concept further and discover the reasons why, as followers of Christ, we can find comfort and even joy in the prospect of death.
1. Our spirits will be made perfect.
In the book of Hebrews, we read about the heavenly Jerusalem and the spirits of the righteous made perfect (Hebrews 12:22–23). When we die, our spirits will be freed from the presence and power of sin. No longer will we struggle with the inner war and the heartrending disappointments of offending the Lord who loved us and gave himself for us. Our spirits will be made perfect, and we will experience the fullness of God's righteousness and holiness.
2. We will be relieved of the pain of this world.
Jesus tells the story of Lazarus and the rich man to illustrate the great reversal that occurs at death (Luke 16:24–25). The rich man, now in anguish, longs for even a drop of water to relieve his suffering. Meanwhile, Lazarus, who had endured a life of hardship, is comforted in paradise. While we may not immediately experience the joy of the resurrection, we can find solace in the fact that death will free us from the pain and suffering of this world.
3. We will find profound rest in our souls.
In the book of Revelation, we catch a glimpse of the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God (Revelation 6:9–11). These souls cry out to the Sovereign Lord, asking for justice and vengeance. But they are given a white robe and told to rest a little longer. This imagery shows us that in death, we will experience a deep rest and serenity that surpasses anything we have known in this life. It will be a rest that comes from being in the presence of God and knowing that justice will ultimately be served.
4. We will experience a deep at-homeness.
The apostle Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:8, "Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord." This longing for home is inherent in every human being, whether we realize it or not. In this world, we often feel a sense of displacement and longing for something more. But when we die, we will finally find our true home in the presence of Christ. It will be a place of contentment and belonging that surpasses any sense of security and peace we have ever known.
5. We will be with Christ.
The ultimate gain in death is being in the presence of Christ. Paul declares in Philippians 1:21–23, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better." Christ is a more wonderful person than anyone on earth. He is wiser, stronger, and kinder than anyone we enjoy spending time with. He knows exactly what to do and what to say to make his loved ones feel loved. Therefore, being with Christ in death is the ultimate gain.
As we reflect on these truths, we can find comfort and hope in the prospect of death. Death is not the end for the believer in Christ; it is the gateway to a glorious eternity. It is a gain because it means being perfected in our spirits, relieved of the pain of this world, finding profound rest in our souls, experiencing a deep at-homeness, and being with Christ himself.
So, let us live our lives with a Christ-centered focus, knowing that one day we will gain so much more in death. Let us find assurance in God's promises and look forward to the day when we will be in the presence of our Savior for all eternity. Death may seem daunting, but for the believer, it is truly gain.
POST COMMENT
For post a new comment. You need to login first. Login
COMMENTS(0)
No Comment yet. Be the first :)