Being Ready!

People do a lot of different things to try to cover the bases. It is a good thing to seek to leave no lose ends. However, are all the efforts put forth truly sufficient? Someone has said, “With a birth certificate and a burial policy a fellow is prepared to live or die.” [source: “1600 Squibs And Quips”, compiled by E. C. McKenzie]

Perhaps that sounds like both ends are covered, but is that necessarily true? There are many people who are dead even while they live. (i.e. 1 Timothy 5:6 & Ephesians 2:1-3) And there are also many who are sadly unprepared for the inevitable which is destined to follow death.

Paul understood how to have both covered. The key was the LINK OF LIFE AND DEATH TO JESUS. If that is not the case we are neither prepared to truly live or to die.

Paul stated…
“(19) For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ. (20) It is NO LONGER I WHO LIVE, BUT CHRIST WHO LIVES IN ME. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” ( Galatians 2:19-20
ESV)

And as Paul reflected on the life he had LIVED IN THE LORD, he looked TO JESUS for confidence with regard to the end.
“(6) For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. (7) I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. (8) Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, WHICH THE LORD, THE RIGHTEOUS JUDGE, WILL AWARD TO ME ON THAT DAY, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.” ( 2 Timothy 4:6-8 ESV)

Most everyone gets a birth certificate when they are born and a burial policy can be purchased from any number of sources. However, neither of these truly prepares for that which is beyond this realm. The key is through proper recognition of the true LORDSHIP OF CHRIST! We must recognize that without JESUS we are not prepared to live life now nor to see its end!

Writing to the church at Rome Paul revealed what our focus should be.
“(8) If we live, we LIVE TO THE LORD, and if we die, we DIE TO THE LORD. So then, WHETHER WE LIVE OR WHETHER WE DIE, WE ARE THE LORD’S. (9) For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.” ( Romans 14:8-9 ESV)

As Christians, whether we have our life or death in view, we can be encouraged that our RELATIONSHIP TO CHRIST does not end. If we have allowed JESUS to gain such a grip on our life, we can be encouraged that we cannot be snatched from His hand. (note John 10:28-29) May we ever remain His!

Have a great day FULLY REMAINING CHRIST’S POSSESSION!
Carl

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