Winning in Life and in Death

Philippians 1:21

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Paul knew and appreciated something that all Christians should hold dear.  We are in a win-win situation.  Having been washed clean by the blood of Our Savior, when we die we will be delivered from all the tribulations of life.  We will be free of all diseases and free from any concerns about worldly things.  We will leave behind forever all sin, all unbelief, all doubts and all fears.  We will be absolutely free from the temptations of Satan.  More importantly, the benefit of what we gain will be far greater than what we are freed from.  We will be in the presence of Almighty God.  We will experience continuous communion with Our Savior.  We will receive eternal places of rest in the Kingdom of God.  We will live in constant light, love, joy, peace and comfort.  We will be surrounded by endless pleasure.

If we continue in life, we can confidently meet every affliction, every disappointment, every oppression and every persecution in joy because we are certain of our glorious victory over death.  Our certainty of our victory over death will also allow us to enjoy our time on earth without the shadow of death haunting us.  While the world struggles when facing death, the followers of Jesus are able to face their death beds with an exuberance that the world cannot understand.  We know that Our Savior is waiting to receive us and that He has prepared a place for us that is free from all misery and weakness.

Let us live with the fullness of Christ in our lives.  Let each one of our remaining days on earth serve as living testimony to Our Eternal King.  Let us proclaim to the world all that He promises us here on earth and in heaven.  Let our joy be the reason that those around us seek a relationship with Our Redeemer.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the eternal inheritance that You have set aside for us.  We praise the name of Jesus who secured our place with You for all eternity.  We rejoice in knowing that only a wisp of time separates us from claiming all the rights of the heirs of Your kingdom.  As we wait for that time of glory, we pray that You equip us to be Your laborers in these end days.  We ask that You arm us against the attacks of the enemy as we help bring the church to completion.  May we show the world the living Christ that is within us.  We pray these things in the name of our waiting Savior, Jesus Christ.