Sept 30/Oct 1 - Romans 14:8

If we live,

we live to the Lord,

and if we die,

we die to the Lord;

so then, whether we live

or whether we die,

we are the Lord’s.

Romans 14:8

 

These are comforting words — especially at a funeral. And yes, we use them at a grave site.

 

This is a simple, one sentence summary of a bigger doctrine. The Apostle Paul is writing here to the Church in Rome, and to these bellieves he trumpets this glorious truth: Whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.

 

In 2 Corinthians 5:8, takes this hope even a step further. He says, “[I] would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.” Prefer? Yes! Indeed, he confirms this sentiment in Philippians 1:21, saying, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain”! 

 

In fact, says Paul in the following verses — Philippians 1:23-24, “I am hard pressed between the two [— between the desirability of life vs. death — because] my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better; but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you.” Now, you probably know that Paul spiritually opts to stay. Not that the length of days is really his choice, of course. Our days are ultimately in God’s hands. But spiritually he wills himself to stay for the purpose of earthly ministry, rather than escaping prematurely for the “far better” comforts of heaven.

 

Interestingly, a few verses later in Philippians 2:5-11, Paul shows that for the purpose of earthly ministry, Jesus himself opted to leave the realm that was objectively “far better” to come for a purpose that was far better for us. Indeed, Christ “6did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, 7 rather emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, and being found in human form.”

 

“5Let this same mind be in you,” starts this passage.

 

Well, do you have this same view of heaven vs. earth? Do you view “death” as “gain”? I quoted 2 Corinthians 5:8 slightly incorrectly. I added brackets and substituted a word. Instead of “I,” it should read, “we.” “We would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.” Is that your hope?

 

In last Wednesday’s Truth Project class, a haunting question was asked: Do you really believe that what you believe is really real? (Read that a few times. Let it sink in.)

 

Paul believed in heaven. In fact, he believed so confidently, that heaven was so real that to “die” was “gain”!

 

What do you think it would take for you to get that confidence?

 

For me, I’ve had the privilege – strange word for what I’m about to say – of doing one hundred funerals. It hurts to lose a friend! And I walk this road with lots and lots of friends. But here’s why I call it a privilege: Because every time I do a funeral, I grow more confident of heaven! I see God show up! I see the veil between heaven and earth pulled back, even just a little. And like Paul, I can say with growing confidence, “To live is Christ; to die is gain.”

 

In Christ’s Love,

a guy who is learning

to really believe that

what he believes

is really real