Ready to die and ready to live!

When we have settled the issue of our eternal destiny, we are set free to live life to the full. Only then do we understand why we are here. You are here for a reason. God has a purpose for your life. His purpose is, that as you hold onto his eternal promises, you will make a difference to his kingdom through a “promise driven life”!

As Christians, we know that the greatest reaction to God’s promise of eternal life in Christ is to glorify God in gratefulness and love for him. 

This was Paul’s desire. Paul’s desire was to glorify God whether in life or in death. In all things our lives should glorify God.

This is not only about the “church” things we do. This is about everything we do. We do not only glorify God on Sundays, serving and worshipping God around his Word and Sacrament.  We are to glorify God every day of the week in everything we do: in our jobs, our families, our politics, our sports, our play. In all of our attitudes, actions and plans, we are to glorify God.

We glorify God when we reflect the life of Christ through our lives. In every situation that we face, we need to ask ourselves what Jesus would have us do. This is really the essence of following Jesus.  As we obey the leading of the Holy Spirit the through his Word, our lives will glorify God. We will surrender to Christ, the King.

We need to remember, as Paul did, that we are here for others. While Paul desired to depart and be with Christ, because he believes it is “far better” to be with Christ, he knew there were many more people that needed him:

  I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again, your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me. (Philippians 1:23b-26 NIV)

Paul knew that his life was about being here for others. That is why Christ came to us and Paul was following the example of his Lord, giving his life to bring others to the Kingdom of God.

Our lives can make a difference in the lives of others. This is what the church should be about:  people caring for one another, people helping one another, people encouraging one another, people serving one another and people showing others that to live for Christ results in gaining eternal joy and life!

Because we are ready to die, we can truly begin to live.