For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
~ Philippians 1:21 (NKJV)
~ Philippians 1:21 (NKJV)
Death reigns as the ultimate enemy of every human. Not even those destined to be rapture saints escape sin's penalty of dying, experienced in day-to-day deterioration of mortal bodies.
By following Jesus into death, we come into His resurrection. Eternal life reigns as our ultimate conquest, both when we leave this world, and amid our day-to-day brawl against sin and decline.
"Every decision has a cost.
Every yes comes with a no."
~ Chuck Borsellino
Whatever our anticipation liberation into the next world, we cannot forget the liberty made available in every acceptance of lesser deaths. For Jesus' followers, to die is gain.
Every yes comes with a no—and every no comes with a yes.
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Copyright 2011, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
I guess this is one of the hardest parts for people to grab ahold of but it is so important.
ReplyDeleteOdie, I'm ashamed to admit how hard it is for me to live what I share some days. I genuinely believe that "we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." (Rom 8.37) At least I believe it with my head. My heart can be pretty slow to follow with feeling that. :/
ReplyDeleteAnne, I don't know that I've looked at that verse in the context of the daily dying we do, more in the ultimate, final sense. (And while I get it with my head, my heart lags a bit some days.)
ReplyDeleteBut this makes sense. The daily dying is daily gaining as well.
And always, living is Christ.
Lyla, I've spent too many days thinking that I was only laying up treasure in Heaven, and wouldn't see any temporal gain. It can be difficult to believe that "all things work for good" also includes this world. "No pain, no gain" might not be a quote from Scripture, but methinks it is biblical.
ReplyDeleteYes. To live IS Christ! Every day, in every way. ♥ to you and Him both.