05/02/2019
Are you anxious to get to heaven? If you were on the verge of death would you just throw in the towel and give into it? Well, although heaven is our goal, our reward, and our wonderful anticipation, getting there prematurely isn’t what Jesus desires for us to do. We have a purpose here just as Jesus did, so we are to serve that purpose until we take that last breath.
“I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.”
John 17:15-17 ESV
My pastor once told me about a woman in his previous congregation who was a saint in his eyes. She had been diagnosed as being in the final stages of a life ending disease and given a short few weeks to live. Most people would have become depressed or given up on life in that situation, but she came to his office and asked him to be at her side as she lived out her remaining life. The words she used were these... “I have shown you how a Christian should live, now I want to show you how a Christian is supposed to die.” He went on to say that her final days were inspirational, and enhanced his faith and that of many others. She had no fear of death, but didn’t rush to embrace it either. Her prayer life and faithfulness strengthened those around her. God love’s life; after all He gave us this earthly life, and only into His hand are we to yield it.
“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth."
And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.”Genesis 1:27-28, 31 ESV
and Having given us our earthly life He then shaped for us a plan for an eternal life... both are good in His eyes. We live so that we might live.
“For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord God; so turn, and live."”Ezekiel 18:32 ESV
Jesus died so that we might have life. He laid down His life to redeem ours, and now He sends us out into this world to spread the good word until we are called to eternity.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”John 10:10-11 ESV
We speak about being crucified with Christ, but would we ever consider crucifying Him ourselves? If we give up on our life that is exactly what we are doing because He abides in us, and as a matter of fact it is no longer we who live, but He who lives in us. This is how we are able to successfully live out life, and do God’s will... we do so by the power and blood of Jesus.
“I have been crucified with Christ. 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 2:20 ESV
So although we should look forward to a peaceful and restful eternity with God the Father, and Jesus the Son, we should not be too anxious to make that leap; we will be called when it is our time, and after we have completed what we have been willed to do. Escaping pain, leaving behind terrible circumstances, or being despondent over lost love... these are not reasons to end our lives. Jesus showed us how to endure great suffering without giving up on life, and we should live through death as He did... righteously. Like Jesus, we do not run away, but are taken to our reward by God. Don’t ask yourself if you are ready to die... ask if you are righteously prepared to live.
“The righteous man perishes, and no one lays it to heart; devout men are taken away, while no one understands. For the righteous man is taken away from calamity; he enters into peace; they rest in their beds who walk in their uprightness.”Isaiah 57:1-2 ESV
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for the life you have given me, your will that you have laid out before me, and for your wisdom that knows the perfect time and place where you will take me from this life into the eternal life you have prepared for me. Thank you Holy Father for your Son Jesus Christ who has redeemed me from sin, conquered death, and made righteousness possible for me. Help me Lord to suffer the hardships of this earthly life without giving in to the dark one, and give me patience as I wait on your call that will lift me from this earthly life into the peace, rest, and joy of heaven. Teach me how to walk as a foreigner through this strange land, into your kingdom where I am a citizen, and have a place at your table. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God of life, and living. Praised be your name for the mercy and grace you sent in the body of Christ to abide within me. In my life and obedience to your will, find your greatness and glory; in this way help me come to know the fullness of worship, and how to live that I might live.
Rich Forbes