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| To live is Christ, to die is gain |
1 Corinthians 15:55 -
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
"What was the most horrible event that every happened in the history of
the world? That was the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus. What was the most
excellent event that ever happened in the history of the world? That was the
resurrection of our Lord Jesus." - Zac Poonen
See how our God is able to turn the worst into the best! As David sliced off the
head of Goliath with his own sword, our Lord Jesus defeated death with death!
Now all of the lovers of our Father in Heaven and His Son Jesus no longer fear
death but on the contrary, we rejoice and eagerly await the future.
Here are a few reasons that death has not only no sting, but on the contrary it
has been turned into something to look forward to:
- Death brings us into the immediate presence of Christ
“For I am in a strait between two, having a desire to depart, and to be with
Christ; which is far better” (Php 1:23)
“We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to
be present with the Lord.” (2Co 5:8)
- Death reconciles us with all of God’s faithful children in times past,
including our own saved loved ones
“And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit
down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.” (Mat 8:11)
“Indeed, with the dear angels and the holy patriarchs, prophets, and apostles,
we shall form one household, shall have all joy in God and in our joy thank and
praise Him throughout eternity” - Martin Luther
- Death ends the worst of all evils; sinning
“O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I
thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve
the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.” - (Rom 7:24-25)
- Death delivers us from the troubles of this life
“For what hath man of all his labor, and of the vexation of his heart, wherein
he hath labored under the sun? For all his days are sorrows, and his travail
grief; yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity.” - (Ecc
2:22-23)
If you still have a hard time believing anyone can have this kind of attitude
toward death, you should dwell on the last words that some of God’s servants
said right before they died:
"Our God is the God from whom cometh salvation: God is the Lord by whom we
escape death."
-Martin Luther
"Live in Christ, live in Christ, and the flesh need not
fear death."
-John Knox
"Thou, Lord, bruisest me; but I am abundantly satisfied,
since it is from Thy hand."
-John Calvin
"The best of all is, God is with us. Farewell! Farewell!"
-John Wesley
"I shall be satisfied with Thy likeness--satisfied, satisfied!"
-Charles Wesley
“Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
-Stephen
“For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I
have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the
righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all
them also that love his appearing.”
“I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.”
“And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto
his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”
-Paul
“Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit”
-Jesus
Will your last words be filled with such confidence? Do not fear death; rejoice
in your eternal life.
“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Php 1:21) |
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