This is the final part of a three part entry. It would be best to go back and first read parts 1 and 2 prior to reading today’s entry.
In 2 Corinthians 5:1-9, Paul reminds we who are children of God by faith in Jesus Christ that to be absent from the body is to be at home with the Lord. On the day of our death, after receiving a measure of dying grace and receiving an angelic escort to heaven, we will finally get to see Jesus! We who know Jesus are not citizens of this earth. We who know Christ are citizens of heaven. For this brief time span we call “life” we serve as Ambassadors of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords but on the day of our death we will finally be home! The song-writer put it this way:
Just think of stepping on shore and finding it heaven!
Just think of touching a hand and finding it God’s!
Just think of breathing new air, and finding it celestial!
Just think of waking up in glory and finding it home!
There is no need to dread that moment or to be anxious about it. The day of our death will without question be the best day of our life! The poet expressed these words beautifully in the writing entitled, “Can This Be Death?” He wrote:
Can this be death? To be released from fear and sorrow, from sickness, weariness and pain? To be removed from sin’s enslavement, from Satan’s influence and domain?
Can this be death? To be set free from my sin nature, from the evil bend to do the wrong? To be set free from inclinations that would rob me of my song?
Can this be death? To be presented in His presence, the One who loves me evermore? To be accepted in the fullness of the Christ whom I adore?
Can this be death? To be escorted by the angels to my home prepared above? To be established in the dwelling that is furnished by His love?
Can this be death? To know complete fulfillment as I look upon His face? To feast upon the glories and the riches of His grace?
No, this is life! With all that it can offer, it is joy that overflows! It is peace that knows no measure. It is victory o’er my foes.
“But thanks be to God,” the Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:57-58, “who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord!”
In 2 Corinthians 5:1-9, Paul reminds we who are children of God by faith in Jesus Christ that to be absent from the body is to be at home with the Lord. On the day of our death, after receiving a measure of dying grace and receiving an angelic escort to heaven, we will finally get to see Jesus! We who know Jesus are not citizens of this earth. We who know Christ are citizens of heaven. For this brief time span we call “life” we serve as Ambassadors of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords but on the day of our death we will finally be home! The song-writer put it this way:
Just think of stepping on shore and finding it heaven!
Just think of touching a hand and finding it God’s!
Just think of breathing new air, and finding it celestial!
Just think of waking up in glory and finding it home!
There is no need to dread that moment or to be anxious about it. The day of our death will without question be the best day of our life! The poet expressed these words beautifully in the writing entitled, “Can This Be Death?” He wrote:
Can this be death? To be released from fear and sorrow, from sickness, weariness and pain? To be removed from sin’s enslavement, from Satan’s influence and domain?
Can this be death? To be set free from my sin nature, from the evil bend to do the wrong? To be set free from inclinations that would rob me of my song?
Can this be death? To be presented in His presence, the One who loves me evermore? To be accepted in the fullness of the Christ whom I adore?
Can this be death? To be escorted by the angels to my home prepared above? To be established in the dwelling that is furnished by His love?
Can this be death? To know complete fulfillment as I look upon His face? To feast upon the glories and the riches of His grace?
No, this is life! With all that it can offer, it is joy that overflows! It is peace that knows no measure. It is victory o’er my foes.
“But thanks be to God,” the Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:57-58, “who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord!”
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