Joyful Expectation!

Satan takes delight in getting us to center our focus on the negative side of things that IN CHRIST ought to encourage us. He rejoices when death is seen as the end; as merely some inescapable tragedy of life. Yes, people do die tragically. Even those who die simply because the body has worn out are mourned for the void they leave in family relationships. However, hope in CHRIST BRINGS COMFORT AND CONSOLATION. Jesus came to render the devil powerless over death and to deliver us from its fear. ( Hebrews 2:14-15) It does not have a hold on us.

In Paul's view of death, he stated. . .
"(21) For to me to live is Christ, and TO DIE IS GAIN. (22) If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. (23) I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is TO DEPART AND BE WITH CHRIST, for that IS FAR BETTER." ( Philippians 1:21-23)

Does that sound like a description of an inescapable tragedy? Though Paul recognized the great value of his service in ministry ( Philippians 1:24-26), he lived with a joyful expectation of better things beyond this realm. The real tragedy is living without Christ while pursuing selfish ends. That opens the door for only a fearful expectation of judgment. ( Hebrews 10:26-27) BECAUSE OF CHRIST, Paul lived with a joyful expectation toward death.

IN CHRIST, let us not allow a view of greater things to come to escape us. IN CHRIST we can live a good life now. In fact the good life is actually found IN CHRIST. And that is life lived in preparation for what He went to prepare for our eternal existence.

Have a great day LIVING IN ANTICIPATION OF AN ETERNITY WITH CHRIST!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Death